Wandering With
Wandering With
Yasmin Saoirse
CAGES - Woolf & The Wondershow
CAGES - Woolf & The Wondershow
Tim Burton could never.
Apocalyptic, Steampunk , love story, extravaganza. Are the only words that come together to, loosely, form a sentence in my mind when I am asked to describe the iconic production that is; Cages.
We arrive in Anhedonia during the “age of melancholy”. In a world that has destroyed its self. To a people who have imprisoned their emotions. Where they exist at The Judgment’s discretion. Any sign of emotion or aspiration and it’s straight to the Emotional Correction Facility.Musical? Physical Theatre? Concert? Graphic Novel? Movie? Whatever it is. It is a work of art. May it continue to defy category.
Throughout this production technology and talent unite together to paint this tragically beautiful tale. You will be transported into a world, not too unlike our own. A world where cruelty masquerades as care. Where control is maintained for the 'good' of society.
You loose your heart in the melodies almost immediately. After quite the abrupt opening has left you with a cavern of questions. Your thirst for answers quickly takes their place, as much like the people of Anhedonia, Woolf reignites your passion. And by the end, returns your heart freer than before.
I am immediately reminded of Fritz Lang’s Metropolis. In this industrial dystopian societal wide shrine to capitalism. Or at least it’s carcass.
Poignant relatable discourse takes place through beautifully written lyrics and spoken word:
“Memories are all we have,
A story book of days past,
Written in pages of time.
When they are taken away
You are hostage to a present with no narrative,
A book with no binding.”
The Chemist, Cages.
I will be spending a lot of timing thinking about this one. Remembering for those who can no longer...
Show stopper after show stopper this tale of love and loss plays into what most of us want, most of all. To be “somebody’s somebody”. However brief or painful. Sweet and destructive.
“They don’t know how it feels,
No they don’t know how it feels
To love and have to hide it,
Empty they’re dead inside.”
Woolf, Cages.
This is your last week to see CAGES at The Riverside Studios in Hammersmith.
Show closes 18/12/2022