Drone
★★☆☆☆ Interesting visuals
Young Critics Scheme review
Summerhall (Venue 26): Fri 2 – Sun 18 Aug 2019
Review by Suzanne O’Brien
Directed by Rob Jones, Harry Josephine Giles stars in Drone at Summerhall. This spoken word theatre piece tells the story of a military drone’s life as it reveals the world from its perspective.
This spoken word production, which is part of Giles’ #transfringe mutual support project, is accompanied with live music and fascinating visuals on a projector screen.
Harry Josphine Giles in Drone. Pic Rich Dyson
The piece begins with a drone flying in the centre of the stage. Its camera is then turned on to the audience and their faces are projected on to the screen. Straight away showing that the drone is the eyes the story will be told through.
The live visual and lighting designed by Jamie Wardrop really set this spoken word theatre piece apart from others. The words are strong but the visuals are stronger, in fact they overpower them in a way that is likely intentional, but which overshadow what the words are trying to say.
Designed by Neil Simpson, the sounds created throughout come in many different ways. Giles uses echo and distortion on his voice. Live music is played. And the filing cabinet on stage is also used to create various sounds when Giles touches it, shuts the drone inside it and places his microphone on top of it.
visually interesting
Giles puts more focus on the use of their own body than on spoken words, manipulating it and creating shapes with it, while exploring the floor and the filing cabinet. This is visually interesting but the meaning and purpose of each movement isn’t made clear.
Harry Josphine Giles in Drone. Pic Rich Dyson
The rhythm of the spoken word is similar throughout and Giles’s tone of voice remains monotone, in contrast to the loud and ever-changing sound effects and music, making for an interesting mix.
It is easy to get distracted from the poetry with the loud music and strong visuals, which is a real shame. It isn’t always easy to watch and some of the story gets lost.
The piece has a futuristic feel yet it is well in keeping with our time.
Running time – 1hr (no interval)
Summerhall Red Lecture Theatre, 1 Summerhall, EH9 1PL (Venue 26)
Friday 2 – Sunday 18 August 2019
Daily (not Mon 12): 7.10pm.
Tickets and details: https://tickets.edfringe.com/whats-on/drone
Show website: https://ddrroonnee.wordpress.com/
Facebook: @harryjosiegiles
Twitter: @HarryJosieGiles
ENDS
