Zer-Brech-Lich at Fierce Festival 2024: Review

Zer-Brech-Lich ventures boldly into the terrain of fragility, inviting audiences to reconsider how physical differences shape our experiences and perceptions. 

Choreographed by Alessandro Schiattarella and featuring a cast of disabled performers, Zer-Brech-Lich transforms vulnerability into a source of strength through a compelling mix of dance, spoken word and original songs.

Three performers, Alice, Ellen, and Victoria (Vi), embody a unique physical difference which informs the narrative and their interactions with the space. Alice is partly deaf and has a weaker leg (with one ear just for jewellery, she jokes), Ellen uses crutches, and Vi has problems with her hands (her kitten paws, she calls them) and skin scars. This openness about their bodies is integral to the performance as vivid audio descriptions and detailed captions enhance accessibility and make the experience more inclusive for visually impaired and deaf audience members. From the start, the performers offer insights into their desires, preferences, and distinct outfits — a glittery holographic costume, a gleaming gold suit, and sports shorts paired with a fuzzy violet vest. 

The scenography is simple yet versatile, with soft white walls, mobile platforms, and minimal props utilised to create and deconstruct the space. These seamless transitions reflect the fluidity of the performance, where moments of transformation are highlighted, and the process of change becomes a celebrated part of the narrative. In a memorable scene towards the end of the piece, the performers reassemble the space completely, transforming it into a green screen where they become different animals, creatures, and objects.

The ensemble's movements are sometimes playful and other times earnest, weaving between light-hearted interactions and moments of emotional intensity that reflect the vulnerability and strength at the heart of the performance. They are perfectly attuned to Gina ÉTÉ’s specially composed score, which echoes the recurring themes of resilience and vulnerability. The dynamic blend of dance and spoken word dismantles traditional notions of what we consider intact or defective, offering a broader understanding of human experience.

At its most poignant, the performance captures the emotional interplay between the performers, as they hold space for one another and support their movements in dance sequences, often using their crutches to do this. This highlights a different strength: one rooted in care, mutual acceptance, and solidarity. While the messaging can sometimes feel overt, the authenticity and rawness of these connections imbue the piece with a deep emotional resonance.

Ultimately, Zer-Brech-Lich is a powerful testament to the idea that fragility is not a weakness but a state to be embraced and celebrated. It compels us to rethink our perceptions of strength, suggesting that scars are not flaws, but symbols of resilience and beauty. In doing so, it offers a vision of a world where repair is as vital as the act of creation and where every break is an opportunity for something brilliant to emerge.

Author

Elisha Pearce

Elisha Pearce Voice Contributor

Elisha is a graduate of MA Theatre at the University of Lincoln. She currently lives in Staffordshire where she reviews productions at venues across the West Midlands. She is also a budding playwright and is currently developing a new play 'Elsie' which explores Alzheimers through a surrealist lens. Elisha has recently joined the Voice Contributor team and is super excited to write blogs, features and interviews on all things arts and culture :)

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