Birth | Storyhouse Chester

To engage and inspire an audience through theatrical storytelling is, in and of itself, a great challenge even for the most seasoned of theatre writers; to be able to do so with nigh on zero audible or discernible dialogue is nothing short of remarkable. This is why what Theatre Re have managed to do with Birth is such an extraordinary feat of physical performance art, as it manages to tell a rousing, gut wrenching story effectively and with total conviction, moving the audience greatly through some rather brilliant physical acting and interpretive dance, along with stunning musical contributions.

It isn’t without its faults, one must express; the early stages of the piece do require a little thought process and piecing together, making it feel more like a puzzle than a play. However, everything is tied together beautifully in the final 20 minutes or so, as we revisit earlier scenes that are given a fresh coat of context when paired with what is essentially the crux, the climax of the entire piece, and the various parts of this theatrical latticework finally interlink. These complete a full, achingly beautiful picture that brings the three women featured together, each a different generation of the same family, sharing in the pain of a lost pregnancy; it’s this distinct, overwhelming sense of catharsis experienced through this familial union that fully endears us as an audience to the three women, and we truly feel for the tumultuous journey on which they have been.

This is all portrayed in a remarkably unique manner, as although the dialogue is either minimal, or largely inaudible, the command Theatre Re have of the stage and the material in spite of this results in, ultimately, some soundly convincing and emotionally charged storytelling. The addition of the huge, cascading sheet of fabric used in scene transitions gives the performance a brilliant sense of flow, especially when paired with the rather magical way in which the actors on stage disappear and reappear in various ways.

But what really ties everything together is the intense, unwavering nature of the score; multi-instrumentalist Alex Judd’s gorgeous soundscape, and his live performance thereof, was a privilege to experience, as he makes use of various instruments, loops, special effects and live mixing, in what was a rather extraordinary individual instrumental performance. It did sadly feel like it all ended a touch abruptly musically, however this doesn’t take away from the fact that Theatre Re have taken us on a hell of a journey. Lost pregnancy and the fallout that often ensues can feel like a taboo topic, this piece can hopefully instil in many, but especially in those mothers who relate to the story on a personal level, a sense of comfort and community, and a feeling that they truly aren’t alone in all this.

★★★★☆ (4*)

Gifted tickets in return for an honest review | Photography by Pamela Raith