Live Performance Review - My Self in That Moment by Chamber Made

Image credit to Pia Johnson.

Every time I see a stage play, swear to God, every single time, I leave confused. Can anybody explain to me what ‘abstract’ is? I am just a poor country mouse, lost in a world of art and iPads. 

My Self in That Moment was bold, I’ll give it that. Where I would typically encourage any theatre to start on time, this play took a separate approach, blasting my eardrums with static for what felt like ages before the sole-performer slowly deconstructed the stage. This was a trial in patience that I personally wasn’t ready for. Who serves drinks at the reception when the play is a trial in patience? Who was working against who here?

My curiosity was gripped, don’t get me wrong. But I feel like perhaps the show may have benefitted from some pleasure. 50 minutes of pain is an endurance that even the best of us should be daunted by. Once my eardrums adjusted to the vibrations, obtuse ringing and multiple audio tracks broadcasted at once, I was hunky dory. I was maybe even enjoying it! 

I’ll agree that this play is a testament to exactly what 49 individual iPads are capable of. It’s amazing how the daunting amount of screens were basically used as one jerry-rigged surround sound system, albeit with just a little more echo. And when the noise wasn’t forcing me towards an artistic justification for such an attack. The glitchy video presented through the 49 screens as one morphias, unable to be enjoyed individually, was interesting , though perhaps solely for its experimentation into audio distortion.

A play in real life does have the bonafide ability to change your perception of reality. Perhaps in that way, My Self in That Moment truly excelled. This performance was something wholly unique, and beyond what can be provided in a cinema or on a streaming service. Although it did not make much use of light, my disappointment subsided when physical space became a plaything for the performance. 

Given the option to sit on the floor, stand at the back, or use the benches provided gave viewers a sense of ownership over their enjoyment of this performance. Naturally I chose the ground, and I was pleasantly surprised that my journey didn’t end there, for in the intermission the audience was required to reposition itself to another section of the stage. These kinds of distinct experiences are what will prevent me from ever fully embellishing disappointment concerning theatre. 

Brava!

My Self in That Moment is showing from Wednesday 27th to Saturday 30th of July. For tickets and more info, click here.