GLIMMER. Directed by Roshina Ratnam. Written by Mongiwekaya and Roshina Ratnam. Performed by Magnet Theatre Youth Company 2024.Magnet Theatre.
MEGAN CHORITZ reviews
The opening of Glimmer, at the Magnet Theatre, was filled to the brim with theatre people and we had a fabulous, rousing, jump out of our seat experience with this fresh, original and totally contemporary piece of theatre aimed at young audiences (teenagers in particular).
I was totally swept up by the energy, commitment, passion, and talent of this youth company, as they told the story of Lihle, Zazi and Sam, schoolfriends who have their own personal struggles, and the usual teenage fights and differences, until the massive damage that is caused when Lihle’s nude selfie dance gets uploaded onto social media and goes viral. The consequences are extreme, and devastating. These struggles are real and relatable and come to life with performers that clearly connect with the material. And the world of tech in the hands of children is full on and forceful in its omnipresence and its danger.
The cast is fantastic
The cast of nine are fantastic, as they perform, manipulate clothing puppets (who are awesome!), swing the set pieces around (fabulous frames that double as cellphone screens), and wheel the amazingly practical bed/stage/stand/prop storage into different spaces. Everyone is running about doing something; flashing emoji faces on sticks, being a school crowd, performing a pink wigged nude selfie session. It is high energy, charming, and moving stuff. The three ‘leads’ are sincere, and natural, and funny, and got us all in our feels.
This is great work by the young cast, the writers, director, designer. It made me excited about the future of theatre and it reminded me of the brilliance of Magnet Theatre and the work they do. Halala!
What: Glimmer
Where and when: Magnet Theatre from 23 to 31 August 2024
Tickets: Webtickets
WS
