THEATRE REVIEW: Heart Go…BOOM!
Heart go… BOOM!, led by Ebony Andrew and Jes’mine Palaaia, is a heartfelt devised piece that highlights the personal experiences of a diverse group of theatremakers. Cypha Clark, Ingrid Lee, Molly Curnow, Talia Pua, and Tane Te Pakeke-Patterson invite us into their own lives and personal struggles. Ranging from family history to body image to the realms of anxiety and stress, Heart go… BOOM! is full of moments that any audience member can relate to.
The show opens with the actors lying on the stage as you enter. Slowly but surely they come to life, charmed by a piece of paper that they each have, playing with it whimsically. I loved the eerie calmness of the opening; where most shows jump at the audience or drag them straight into the middle of a plot, Heart go… BOOM! instead piques the audience’s curiosity with a more graceful, relaxed opening. I only wish I could see more, as a lot of choreography in this section, as well in other parts of the show, were done on the ground and were covered by the rows in front of me. But I don’t blame the audience, as everyone was craning their necks to see as much action as they could!
Due to the show’s diverse cast, the monologues came in a range of different forms, from family love and identity, to body image and self care. Through Pua’s scenes I felt nostalgia for my siblings and the simplicity of childhood; through Lee’s scenes I became aware of my existential dread. The monologues all culminated in a group scene that emphasised the stress and anxieties of modern-day living. Presenting these ideas on stage made me feel as though I wasn’t alone in my anxieties - it brought a warm comfort to the theatre.
The show utilises an old school arts and craft aesthetic. Paper planes and hearts decorate the back wall of the stage; coloured paper is used numerous times as props and objects. The use of this aesthetic added to the nostalgia that was already prominent in the piece - it brought me back to a primary school classroom as soon as I sat down. I especially enjoyed the way paper was scrunched between the hands of one of the actors to become a puppet at the beginning. Seeing what creative eyes could do with something as simple as paper made me giddy with excitement and I was eager to see more innovation! However, the paper motifs diminished after the first opening scenes which left my stomach hungry for more paper-based-prop-work.
Heart go… BOOM! is a cluster of talented artists coming together to deliver something truly heartfelt and honest. Even though some ideas felt diluted, there was a sharp sense of truth that emanated from the performers, washing over the audience. It takes a lot of courage to be vulnerable in front of a hundred people and a lot of energy to open your heart to them every night. Even with the heavy topics, Heart go… BOOM! ties it up with a calming, positive outlook.
Leaving the theatre after Heart go… BOOM! makes you feel calmer about the world around you, and more appreciative of the people next you.
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Check out more about Heart go…BOOM! here!
Cast: Cypha Clark, Ingrid Lee, Molly Curnow, Talia Pua, Tane Te Pakeke-patterson
Co-directors: Jesmine Palaaia & Ebony Andrew
Producer: Charlie Underhill
Production Management: Pilot Productions
Presented By: Massive Theatre Company