Theatre Of Dreams: Brighton Festival Review

On Sunday, we were treated to the sonorous, visual and energetic poetry of Theatre of Dreams, a production choreographed and musicalised by the acclaimed Hofesh Shechter, at the Brighton Dome Concert Hall.

A cold Sunday afternoon was filled with warmth, from an audience that reflected the full theatre, and from the dreamlike journey that this show provided us. The lighting, designed by Tom Visser, created an empty space full of depth, where a performer was curiously discovered at the portal of an unexpected journey. From there, the stage play gave way to a school of bodies and souls full of passion, playing with the three-dimensional planes created by light and space, using the curtains as a dynamic element in this journey. I would venture to describe this show as a multidisciplinary gestural dance of the highest order.

What a dazzling pleasure it was to be a spectator of a work of art that integrated all the branches of the performing arts with an impeccable and decisive subtlety: live music, dazzling lights, 100% performance and an undeniable and enriching group work. The costumes were designed by Osnat Kelner, with Bruno Guillore as associate artistic director, Yaron Engler as musical collaborator and Niall Black as set collaborator.

And so it was! Tristan Carter, Robinson Cassarino, Frédéric Despierre, Rachel Fallon, Cristel de Frankrijker, Mickaël Frappat, Justine Gouache, Zakarius Harry, Alex Haskins, Yeji Kim, Keanah Faith Simin, Juliette Valerio and Chanel Vyent shared this delirium with us, and we all danced together, seeking a space of liberation. Thank you for breaking through the formality of theatrical art and reminding us of the purpose of shows like this: the generosity of allowing us a safe space of freedom to communicate through dance. Yaron Engler, Sabio Janiak and Alex Paton were fundamental to this poetic journey.

This show opened my heart and invited me to visualise each stage of life with the beauty it deserves. Often escaping reality seems to erase the present (which is already past), and we believe that entering another dimension could erase us from human existence. Here, however, escape felt like an opportunity to “zoom in” on every moment of the present, to appreciate its inherent beauty when we look at it with the dignity it deserves.

What a great job they have done for the Brighton Festival! I am happy to share the pleasure of witnessing this dream piece.

I am quite sure that the repertoire of shows at Brighton Festival will surprise you more than once. You have the whole month of May to enjoy all the shows that are here. Your senses will thank you!

Website: https://brightonfestival.org/