Review: The Spirit Of Joan Of Arc Is Channelled In JOAN, A Contemporary Expression Of The Famous French Saint's Incredible Life

Friday 16th February 2018, 7:30pm The Sound Lounge, Seymour Centre

Lucy Jane Parkinson delivers a captivating performance in Lucy J Skilbeck's Award winning solo cabaret show JOAN. Melding ancient stories with a contemporary aesthetic, the story of identity, finding strength in strange places and discovering a place in society plays out with poetry, music and an intriguing sequence of transformations.

Skilbeck (writer and director) has created a captivating work that sees Drag King Parkinson present a modern-day Joan of Arc, starting the story in Tank Girl t'shirt, long urban shorts and sneakers but recounting medieval stories of knights and battles, peasants and saints. Designer Emma Bailey has created an intimate space for Skilbeck's work to play out. The work is presented in the round with the audience seated in four quadrants delineated by pathways to dressing mirrors at the end of the transepts. Wooden fruit boxes form a central cross and cabaret tables house intriguing glass domes. Joshua Pharo and Sarah Readman's lighting varies from a full was of light to disco lights and focused spotlights that then reflect on the mirrors. A soundscape of birds and other sounds that colour Joan's world are combined with the musical interludes where Parkinson sings to recorded musical arrangements. Whilst Skilbeck has composed the songs, David Lewington has designed the sound and developed the musical arrangements.

Parkinson is endearing as Joan, a young woman uncomfortable in her own skin, opting to take on a male persona to survive in a patriarchal world. Parkinson has an easy style and can move between comedy and deeper emotion with ease. The work has a number of audience participation elements and Parkinson picks targets well and leads an amusing full audience experience with delightful energy. Parkinson's experience as a prominent UK Drag King allows smooth transitions into the variety of male characters portrayed, from Joan's father to Charles, the Dauphin of France as well as Joan's own decision to don male attire after she has seen the horrors inflicted on women of her station, a move that eventually lead to Joan's death by being burned alive.

Parkinson presents Skilbeck's poetry and monologues with a beautiful pace, allowing emotions to sit in, increasing suspense and energy where required and weaving in a wonderful humour to balance the tone. There is a brilliant expression of Joan's unsettled feelings and her belief in the visions that started coming to her at the age of 13. Whilst centred around history, JOAN reminds the audience that we should not judge, that not everyone fits a stereotype and that gender need not be defined as one or the other and that there are elements of both in everyone.

JOAN

https://www.seymourcentre.com/events/event/joan/

http://www.milkpresents.com/production/joan

Photos: Robert Day

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