By: Rosie Sharman-Ward, TRP Reviewer
Completely entrancing, Little Murmur is a show that distils years of struggling with dyslexia into a pure sensory experience that is painfully honest and bewitching.
Creator and co-choreographer, Aakash Odedra, was diagnosed with dyslexia at a young age. His struggles to engage with learning and the challenges he faces are vividly portrayed using movement fused with stunning projection and a soundscape full of emotion. Defined by his dyslexia rather than all his other abilities he interprets his story with nuanced dance.
We first see performer, Subhash Viman Gorania, meticulously setting up an array of fans and lights. They create a precise circle in a tight pattern of ‘large fan – smaller fan – light’ around a flowing translucent curtain. As he sweeps carefully inside the circle with a large broom it becomes evident that controlling his environment is vital. Something is out of place, however, a small book, a patient’s record. As he reads the stark words to us the narrative starts to flow through Subhash’s body. At first staccato in a series of ticks and taps, sharply tangential in response to numbers but sticking on words. Slowly as the story unfolds, so too does the movement.
The interaction between dancer and projection is sublime. Subhash’s timing is immaculate. Formed from colour and light, a pleading child, through fighting odds and swirling flocks of birds, the mixing of performance, projection and music transcends any of the individual parts taking us on the sweeping journey of realisation mixed with anxiety. “How long does it take to correct a mistake?” After 21 years of misspelling his own name, Subhash finally feels complete when he discovers his missing ‘A’.
Visually gorgeous, this show amazes its audience. Wonderful lighting, brilliant effects and atmospheric sounds combine seamlessly with the dance. The expressive choreography is reminiscent of the delicate dances of South Asia with meaningful small movements and feet beating out the rhythm then becoming larger, harsher and more emotive. Subhash Viman Gorania’s whole performance is outstanding, vulnerable and touching. He possesses some of the most beautiful hands I have seen. They really appear to become birds in flight. We clearly see the misunderstood child in the grown man. His appeals for help amid a torrent of whirling paper would crack the even the stoniest heart.
Billed as a show for ages seven up may be off putting for some adults. I feel it is a show that speaks to all and mirrors the experience of many. Everyone has a part of themselves that others do not understand, be it a visible disability or a hidden one. Most of us are unable to express this feeling so become part of the murmuration and let Little Murmur carry you away.