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| ID: Ona Wright, Thea Kendall-Green, and Sage Norwood. Credit: Orsolya Haynes. |
Once upon a time (Sunday 30th of March), wherever it was or wherever it
wasn’t (The Barron at the Byre), an independent, student-written play
was staged for the first time. Running for only two nights, this
production was quietly performed to a modest audience on a spring
evening, as fleeting as the blooming flowers of its titular character.
Luckily, this writer was able to catch a glimpse to tell you all about
it.
The Flowering Tree, jointly written, directed and produced by Orsolya Mollie Haynes and Aradhana Kiran, is clearly a product of its cast and crew’s dedication. The cast is small – only ten in number – but most actors play multiple roles, allowing for complex and compelling storytelling. The play is also staged in the round, which is not at all easy to pull off, but the cast demonstrates a practiced sensitivity towards the space and the audience, utilising the stage to its full potential.
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ID: Magnus Gunn and Iha Jha. Credit: Orsolya Haynes.
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The stage is simply yet vibrantly and fittingly decorated with a flower garland which encompasses the space. However, the singular black block used as a set piece is less effective, as it slows transitions and at times forces actors to remain stationary for long moments, favouring audiences on particular sides of the stage while leaving others in the dark. Nevertheless,
The Flowering Tree succeeded in reminding me of the magic versatility of a black box theatre, adapting exceptionally well to the possibilities of The Barron. Moreover, the careful costume and lighting design adds a beautiful, magical quality to the piece, capturing the audience’s curiosity and immersing them in the fantastical stories.
Haynes and Kiran seamlessly thread together traditional folk stories from both Hungary and India to create a lovely narrative of love, magic, and loyalty. While the play has a surprisingly long runtime, with the second act in particular including a few repetitive twists and turns, the charming characters maintain the audience’s attention. Iha Jha especially shines as Mallige and the Witch, playfully highlighting the comedy inherent in the villainous characters of fairy tales.
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| ID: Ava Pegg-Davies, Poppy Kimitris, and Ryan Cunningham. Credit: Orsolya Haynes |
Undeniably, though, the stars of
The Flowering Tree are its three narrators, the weaving sisters played by Thea Kendall-Green, Ona Wright, and Sage Norwood. The trio (much reminiscent of the Greek Fates) guides the audience through the stories with nuanced characterisation, telling their own story of sisterly love. The three actors work together wonderfully, engaging with one another and the audience with ease.
With its emotive, extremely satisfying closing scene,
The Flowering Tree brings me back to the childhood joy of reading fairy tales which always ended happily. This play seems to ask us: When did we ever stop telling stories?
The Flowering Tree will have a second run tonight, Monday 31st. Catch it while you still can!
By Blanca (she/her)
