Written and Performed by Jasmine Thien
Directed by Max Percy
Review by Eve Nugent
Underbelly Bristo Square, Friesian
I Dream in Colour, performed on the intimate Friesian stage at Underbelly Bristo Square, is a moving semi-biographical one-woman show about a blind woman “fighting for the right to exist”. Writer Jasmin Thien draws upon her own experiences when starring as Sophie – a feisty, funny and richly spirited character, refusing to be defined by her condition. This polished show is produced by the company The Project People, and masterfully explores the tribulations of life with a disability.
Sophie is abruptly informed – by notably unbefitting doctors – that she has a tumour behind her right eye which must be removed. This is not the first time she has been told what to do with her body, triggering a determined quest to regain self-authority. Through vivid vignettes, she revisits similar formative experiences, from childhood bullying to the trauma of being dismissed after a sexual assault at Cambridge University. Directed skilfully by Max Percy, Thien confronts ableism and discrimination with great sensitivity and care.
Despite this serious premise, the show is not without humour. Sophie offers a witty and light-hearted perspective on her experiences navigating life as a Chinese woman in a predominantly white community, resulting in a well-rounded performance.
We also learn that Sophie has synaesthesia, the ability to associate colours with different objects and sounds, alluding directly to the title. In this way, the lighting design could perhaps have been explored more fully to convey this vibrant aspect of her inner world. The production does, however, incorporate subtitles, ensuring accessibility for audience members who are deaf or hard of hearing.
Whilst Thien’s promising performance is authentic, she unfortunately contrasts starkly with the voiceover dialogue which, while functional in portraying secondary characters, feels somewhat robotic and thus disillusioning, undercutting the overall emotional impact. Overall, however, this is a smooth performance with a clear message about the importance of empowering voices that are too often underestimated.
Masterful Exploration
I Dream in Colour runs at Underbelly Bristo Square – Friesian
Running time: Sixty 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!
