REVIEW: Rhiannon Faith Company's "internal virus" in DROWNTOWN LOCKDOWN

With dance-theatre maker Rhiannon Faith’s new show DROWNTOWN unable to tour in summer 2020, owing to the coronavirus pandemic, Faith created DROWNTOWN LOCKDOWN, a digital prologue film to bridge the gap. In this digital introduction we meet the cast of DROWNTOWN in their own homes before they set off for the beach, the setting for the upcoming production. Directed by Adam Sheldon (Big Egg Films) and filmed by the dancers in their own homes during the lockdown, the film interrogates themes of loneliness and isolation.

Donald Hutera in DROWNTOWN (PC: Foteini Christofilopoulo)

The reocurring image and sound of water threads through DROWNTOWN LOCKDOWN from the moment the film opens until it ends. Presented as crashing waves, dripping taps, kitchen sinks and overflowing buckets, the sound and image of water reminds us of the notions of suffocation and drowning - literally and figuratively. 

The autobiographical nature of the stories told by the dancers is clear, each performer presents a different form of suffering that seems to come from a deeply personal place. Dancer Cherie Coleman frantically researches government advice before turning to face a wall littered with post-it notes and newspaper clippings. Dressed in an orange hi-vis vest and trousers, Thomas Heyes slumps over a table, dragging his head lethargically into his hands. Elsewhere, Donald Hutera calls out through his letter box, "is anyone there? Can you hold me?". While the stories share the common threads of loneliness and isolation, each is peppered with something personal: panic, lethargy and heartache. The "internal virus" feels more threatening than the one outdoors.

Thomas Heyes in DROWNTOWN (PC: Foteini Christofilopoulo)

Time lapses, birds-eye-views, close shots and the recurrent sound and image of water gives DROWNTOWN LOCKDOWN an ever-present, low level anxiety. Shelly Eva Haden, dressed in her coat and shoes, writhes in a narrow hallway, her legs won't let her walk steady. The cast are moving fast now, hurling arms over their heads and diving skulls towards the floor, it's not far off the thrashing of someone panicking in deep water. The dancers move closer to their front doors and the anxiety continues to build as hands reach towards door handles and latches release. The doors open and the cast step out into daylight and suddenly the tension drops. But what will happen next for these men and women?

Choreographer Rhiannon Faith (PC: Christa Holka)

Faith successfully lays bare the same truths that the coronavirus pandemic has revealed in Britain. With incredibly great care (check out the post-show Q&A for a real insight into the care taken), DROWNTOWN LOCKDOWN points at the growing social isolation faced by groups in the UK, highlights the importance of supporting the mental health of individuals and communities, and acknowledges the shameful social and economic disparity faced by marginalised groups. Mixed in with the chaos and heaviness presented in DROWNTOWN LOCKDOWN, there is an essence of vulnerability that many will recognise within the reconstruction of daily lives and personal journeys during the pandemic. In sum, if you haven't seen it already, DROWNTOWN LOCKDOWN is an essential work of dance art for those living in the era of the coronavirus in the UK.

DROWNTOWN LOCKDOWN is available to watch online at: www.rhiannonfaith.com/drowntown-lockdown

Maya Pindar