Produced by Runaway Hotel Kollective
Review by Eve Nugent
Canadian-based theatre company Runaway Hotel Kollective presents ‘Air Heart’, a fascinating one-woman show which tracks the tumultuous and extraordinary life of Amelia Earhart, American aviation pioneer known for being the first woman to fly solo across the Atlantic Ocean in 1928. Bringing this iconic figure to life with great depth and versatility is actress Irena Huljack, who seamlessly transitions between different characters to offer a rich and diverse narrative on both a public and private scale.
At the core of this production lies a powerful question: what does it mean to be a woman, particularly one who dares to reject the expectations that surround her? The script approaches this inquiry with both sensitivity and craft, unpacking the consequences Earhart faced when stepping, or rather flying, outside of societal convention. Huljack is remarkably nuanced in her depiction of a woman who dismantles gender stereotypes with astute defiance, leaving in her shadow the suffocating preconception that “men have adventures, whilst women have responsibilities”.
The continuous overlap of Earhart’s public and private life further adds depth to the performance, allowing for a more intimate exploration of the character; the audience is invited to share her ambitions, her feelings on sexuality and marriage, and the complex tension between professional growth and domestic duty.
The small and intimate C Arts studio at the Quaker Meeting House proves to be the perfect venue for such a show, with a close proximity between actor and audience to enrich the emotional immediacy of the piece. Additionally, lighting and sound design are used both creatively and effectively to smoothen character transitions, as well has mirror Huljack’s nuanced movements – this results in a cohesive and polished production. ‘Air Heart’ is a well-executed performance that will educate its audience, with great emotional depth and historical insight, on the life of this enigmatic and iconic woman.
Cohesive and Polished
Air Heart runs at C ARTS – C alto studio
Running time: One hour and fifteen minutes without interval
Review by Eve Nugent (contact@corrblimey.uk)
An undergraduate French student at the University of Edinburgh, Eve has a diverse interest in theatre and performance. Her primary devotion is acting, predominantly at Bedlam Theatre with her fellow students, but also with French group ‘Les Escogriffes’ who perform annually at the French Institute of Scotland.
Her creative attention stretches also to classical music, as she enjoys playing the flute, piano and guitar. She thus looks forward to watching whatever the Fringe has to offer, irrespective of genre!
