Birmingham Repertory Theatre and the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra presents Cold Calling: the Arctic Project, a captivating look at human existence and experience of love and loss. Set against a back-drop of stunning visuals and accompanied by a 20-piece chamber orchestra makes this performance not only a visual delight but a stunning symphony for the ears.
The composer, Nick Powell’s, vision was to create a score that inspires questions to be asked about human existence. The music itself seems to transcend the pretence of just simply music but begins to almost tell an unwritten story, setting the audience’s imaginations alight with questions and wonderment.
The visuals of this piece, although sometimes lacking in quality, perfectly accompany the score. Never being direct with the focus but just hinting enough for the audience to begin to ask the questions, I believe the composer wants them to ask. With stunning scenes of snow, storms, and even the spectacular northern lights the audience starts to feel as if the whole experience is utterly surreal and dream like.
Although there is no discernible plot in this piece, there are a few short live voice overs from Jan Pearson and Waleed Akhtar that explore moments in someone’s life, from being born and having to ask directions, to simply calling to order a pizza- experiences that we sometimes fail to recognise. However the writer, Anthony Neilson, looks at these moments with a wit and honesty that is refreshing to see in such newly formed piece. The dialogue is assertive and amusing yet still retains the same dream like state that reflects from Powell’s score.
Cold Calling: the Arctic Project, although sometimes a bit difficult to follow, the dreamlike state can, if the audience allows the mind to wander, take them on a mystical journey of life, love and loss in a way which has never been done before – bringing sensational live music, stunning visuals and witty dialogue together to make this piece refreshing and new. ★★★☆☆ Georgina Randall 16th September 2016
