Phoebe Bakker
I am always excited when I see horror on at the fringe. It’s an enormously difficult genre to get right and the complexities and the freedom that exist within that subset mean that often times it can feel somewhat deflating afterwards. I am very pleased to say that Birdwatching by Black Bright Theatre is an exciting, tense and fresh exploration of what the genre can be.
I woke up nice, and early for this one as it was on at 9:55am. I wasn’t sure what I was getting myself into as I knew it was going to be an uphill battle getting the audience onside at this time in the morning. Horror is tricky at the best of time, but in the morning that feels like even more of a herculean task.
The story is simple. Three girls go on a camping trip, a celebratory and commemorative event before Amelia goes off to Australia. Tensions are high from the get go, Lauren’s forgotten a tent and the alcohol – we’re introduced to a slightly tumultuous dynamic between the three which is not improved by the surrounding atmosphere giving an unsettling feeling that perhaps all is not what it seems.
Suspense is woven in carefully through each scene as we explore the trios dynamics playing camping games and sussing each other out. It’s pace is slow but carefully and no way dulls our enjoyment. We’re introduced to the unsettling feeling early on when we’re met with a birds nest and you can feel the audience take a collective gulp. The actors each have points where it feels like we, the audience have been spotted, like they can hear us contributing this chilling feeling, they’re being watched and we’re not sure if its by us or something darker.
A cacophony of sound bursts into life at points. Woodland creatures, squawking birds, trees shaking, distance folk tunes assaulting our senses building to the climax, we’re convinced this is it, this is where it must end but it drops back into silence and we’re left waiting further. The structure of the play is well thought out and each building block slots on top of the other neatly, Our attention is pulled and stretched at all the correct places – perfect when you’re doing anything which is a slow burn.
At times I struggle with the dynamics of the characters, it’s quite clear that they have a complicated relationship and it doesn’t feel like they particularly like each other, which for some of the pairings is integral to the story but for others seems like an odd choice that puzzles me for the choice in location and company. I wish this was explored a little bit more in depth as I felt like it put a little bit of a barrier between my empathy and relation to the characters.
The stakes too at small sections didn’t seem to fully fulfil its potential. I was left wanting a bit more at points, or at least a bit more clarity for the choices made to circumnavigate this. We’re told that Amelia has been followed home before which was a traumatic experience for her, but her fear over this happening to her again seems to be brushed over and played down.
Regardless the script is strong in comedy and the connection between the actors to each other and the space is a highlight. They’re the emotional heartbeat of the story and they really sell everything that’s happening. Each actor delivers a compelling authenticity to the circumstances they find themselves in. My minor gripes do not at any point supersede my enjoyment and I find myself utterly thrilled throughout.
Recommended Drink: Take a gulp from a goblet of Mead to calm your nerves.
Catch Birdwatching between 12-17, 19-24 at theSpace @ Venue45 Tickets are available through the EdFringe Box Office.
Birdwatching is in partnership with Strut Space a uk wide phone line to give you company if you’re walking home alone. If you’d like to make a donation you can find the link here.
Jake Mace
