Echoes | Bread and Roses Theatre

Echoes, which is written and performed by Lieve de Putter and directed by Tattie Chater Davies is a one woman show that explores the subject of the female voice. The play looks at the women figures in Greek Mythology with a modern and feminist lens, and draws out the parallels in the present day. Presented as part of the Lambert Fringe, Echoes is currently a 40-minute piece. 

Echoes focuses on a number of unnamed women in the present day in varying situations, allowing a sense of relatability to propel each scene. These scenes ranged from dealing with a toxic workplace and condescending male co-workers, a well-intentioned yet sexist older father who dislikes cancel culture, an artist who tries to shrink her work and voice so not to take up space, and a really terrible first date with a self-proclaimed Alpha. These scenes have the audiences laughing at these side characters (portrayed by voiceovers), yet there's a sense of uncomfortable dread as these everyday situations feel so recognisable. 

These scenes are interspersed by stories of female mythological characters and Putter's script is strong, evoking an emotional response at every scene. She lives through every scene, making every story feel present and personal as the horrors are unleashed in real time. Putter's performance as she dabbles between the vulnerable victim of the story, to an empowered woman understanding how her words and actions have been misconstrued, makes the emotional impact of each scene feel like a gut punch. Putter's performance, even in the moments where the character is experiencing stage frights and nerves, is assured. Putter is a captivating performer and delivers a very impressive one woman show.

However, it's the writing that really hits the bullseye in this play. Each of the scenes relating to the mythological women are so intelligently crafted, as they use metaphors and references that tie so neatly into each of their unfortunate fates. The message and themes are so cutting and really do leave the audience stunned in their seats even after the bows. 

Stephen Ledger, Peter No, Eddie Kelsey, Jack Young, Emily Wallace and Emma Coles provide voice overs for other characters in the show. Emily Rae's composition plays over the show in select moments adding to the intensity of the scene. Sam Wong's use of sound crackles over the stage, providing the sense of unease to the show. Haley Sliker's lighting changes between a modern bright light and colourful mood lighting for the mythological stories. 

Putter's own emotional journey during the show as an anxious artist to a confident artist is empowering, as she reclaims her voice and her narrative. As the male translations threaten to take over, the contradictions by a female translator overpower this and creates a really satisfying resetting of traditional storytelling. 

Davies' direction allows for the words to speak for themselves with minimal movement. The show is an extended spoken word piece, and Putter and Davies really know how to make every word land. The script is powerful and the delivery makes it even more so. The stage directions are read aloud instead of being performed and scenes of sexual assault are voiced not performed, yet this makes the scenes much more hard-hitting as our own imagination are left to fill in the blanks. 

Echoes is a powerful piece that reclaims the space and entirely owns it. The short runtime, however, does make the piece feel unfinished. Echoes has a message that is repeated through the show, and echoes in the audience's mind long after leaving the theatre.

★★★★☆ (4*)

Gifted tickets in return for an honest review