Norwich Theatre Stage Two presents 3 Migrant Women to kick off September!
Norwich Theatre produce this show, which opened its tour in London in May, with Norwich being one of a few select venues. The production was created from Being Migrant, a project as part of Norwich Theatre’s Theatre of Sanctuary programme, which provides a supportive space for migrants, asylum seekers and refugees to exchange their stories and enrich the Norwich Theatre stages.
The story is created and performed by artists whose stories are being told. Etta, Daria, Deniz, and her husband Suat, take us on an intimate journey as we witness raw fear, hope, and transformation unfold. This was handled very powerfully, with the different, personal perspectives from the four actors allowing for covering different aspects and experiences of being a migrant.
The show is directed by Miche Montague, who is also Creative Communities Producer at Norwich Theatre, and developed with creative support from Gecko Theatre. The staging was effective, with blocks used at the rear of the stage, adding some verticality for the actors to work in. Shoes marked the front of the stage, used regularly in the show, often as a symbol of personal possessions or home. Music is used cleverly, creating an often ominous atmosphere and setting the tone for events being told.
The core cast deliver compelling accounts of their lived experiences, with a lot of heart. Etta Geras explored what you miss when forced to leave home, whether it be family, pets, and personal belongings. She conveyed the vulnerability she felt at the time which was heartfelt. Daria Kolesnyk gave an intense account of the violence of war, with the place you grew up being destroyed. This was powerful and harrowing to witness. We witnessed Deniz Gursucu and her husband Suat Onur Calik welcoming their child into the world, then being forced to relocate. Their scenes convey what their relationship goes through during the ordeal, such as arguing over whether to leave home, to laughter and love.
The cast are giving us a powerful insight into their experiences. It has a shorter runtime at around an hour, and it’s well worth watching. Many thanks to Norwich Theatre for the complimentary tickets to this production. 3 Migrant Women plays at Norwich Theatre Stage Two until 5 September. There are few tickets remaining, book yours now!
Chris
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