REVIEW: EASTERN PROMISE FESTIVAL – Sita Pieraccini presents Make a HOO
Sita Pieraccini’s work Make a HOO is billed as: “a play set in the tropical hills and the Sri Lankan plains which witness a young woman’s journey as she strives to reconnect with her identity and the world she lives in”; save for some pre-recorded sounds from the Sri Lankan forest, this rambling mish-mash does nothing to either evoke a sense of place or stimulate discussion or the emotions.
Several years ago, I saw a production about the ancient myth of the Phoenician princess Europa, a show I thought was the worst thing I have had the misfortune to endure, however, Make A HOO surpasses even that in awfulness. It is one of those works that makes you question the very reason for its existence, other than the self-indulgence of the creator.
Comprising something akin to visual and aural torture, there is no dialogue, Pieraccini performs to a pre-recorded soundtrack of natural and industrial noise, and her movement skills are not particularly well developed. There is little artistry or originality to the choreography. It captivates neither the eyes nor ears.
The themes this professes to address: “connectedness/disconnected-ness with nature”, need to be explored and discussed, however this laboured and poorly executed work does nothing to further the conversation. At one point there are the sounds of wild forest animals, one can’t help wish that the creatures of the night would eat her up and be done with it.
The kind of show that makes you lose all faith in the visual arts.
