Lead Artist and Direction by Diane Thornton
Design by Fergus Dunnet
Review by Hunter King
At the base of a lighthouse stands three lighthouse keepers, each looking out to the sea with and taking each day as it comes. These three performers, as well as a musician, make up the team for Gaggle, a theatrical experience designed for children with additional support needs and their families, which played at the Studio Theatre this week. Tenterhooks, the company behind Gaggle, has been known to produce accessible theatre for all.
Gaggle is at its core a mostly devised show; although it maintains a thin throughline of three lighthouse keepers exploring over the course of a few days, the actual performance changes each time, specifically seeking to tailor itself for the audience that is experiencing it. The performers of Gaggle move about the audience, often interacting with one young person at a time, ensuring they each have an ideal experience, and allowing them the sensorial experience of interacting both with the performers, and the props that they use.
The Gaggle performers switch out each performance as well, which inevitably makes each performance different. At each performance one of the players is the “musician,” who will create music and sound effects using a sound board and foley techniques. The players, who would often harmonize with one another through the performance found a gentle calm that prevents the experience from being overstimulating, but still produces a beautiful noise that everyone can enjoy.
The performance is largely presented with gibberish language, and no dialogue. This is one of the strongest aspects of the overall story, as the Gaggle performers are able to tell a visual story that makes sense using circus techniques and clowning. In some ways it might be nice to see a more consistent plot, but keeping the story open with no expectations of a plot is a nice accommodation for audiences that are more immersed in the spectacle of the theatre than focused on a developed story.
Overall, Tenterhooks have once again found the balance that is needed, not only to stay latched on to a circus pole, but also to provide meaningful theatrical experiences to their audiences, especially those with additional support needs, who they accommodate for with a patience and care that shows families that this type of art style is not only accessible, but necessary for loved ones who don’t always have opportunities like these.
A Meaningful Theatrical Experience
Gaggle was performed at The King’s Theatre
Running time – Thirty-five minutes without interval
Photo credit – Eoin Carey
Review by Rose Sarafilovic (contact@corrblimey.uk)
Hunter is a 2024 Master’s graduate of the University of Edinburgh and current doctoral candidate with a thesis focused on experimental theatre in Edinburgh. He has been a theatre practitioner for over a decade having worked in many capacities including as a director, actor, stage manager, front of house manager, and technician as well as others. Prior to moving to Edinburgh, Hunter was a high school English teacher in the United States. His passion for the written word as well as his passion for live performance are what motivated him to become a writer for this publication.
