There’s so little I can say without giving the work away (it’s rumoured to show in Melbourne later this year) but, suffice to say, blindfolded, confined to a wheelchair and hands tied, you are subjected to multi-sensual stimulations. Nothing in particular stands out, nothing is said that is truly profound, no sensory image is completely gobsmacking, yet it accumulates, and you must attend to the moment, trust in the moment to experience it.
For those accustomed to direct interaction between performer and audience, Smile Off Your Face will perhaps not be quite as mind-blowing as for the unwitting participant. Yet even for the most seasoned contemporary performance aficionados, the intimacy of this work is utterly disarming. And if you go with it and trust the makers of this world, a truly beautiful gift awaits you.
Sydney Festival, Ontroerend Goed, The Smile Off Your Face, AADA Pilgrim Theatre, Jan 14-Feb 1
RealTime issue #89 Feb-March 2009 pg. 8
© Gail Priest; for permission to reproduce apply to [email protected]