Image: brisbanepowerhouse.org
Shimchong: Daughter Overboard is a journey that will take the audience down paths of hotly contested discussions occurring within Australia today, and is a brilliant reflection of this society’s views and reactions to the ongoing crisis surrounding Australia’s foreign policy. Based off the ancient Korean folk tale ‘Shimcheongga‘, the creative team behind Shimchong have adapted and crafted a beautiful modern take, which the cast brings to life through their characters with such ease and grace that the message easily transcends the fact that a good portion of the lines are delivered in Korean.
Lighting and Production designers, David Walters and Josh McIntosh combine their talents to create perhaps one of the best uses of the Visy Theatre in recent memory. Visual lighting, mixed with a simple yet effective set, and a subtle use of water features is evident of the tremendous effort put into this production. While it is difficult to detach from the performers themselves, it would be highly suggested for audience members to take note of the water flowing down the backdrops, and the many other details. One aspect that could potentially increase the impact of the performance is to limit the use of mics; while certain songs during the performance did warrant the use for specific effects, it was not entirely necessary for the small space, as the performers’ voices carried quite well on their own.
The music of the performance, composed by Tom Dickins, is in itself a beautifully crafted component which leaves an immense impression on the audience. The variety of musical styles is intrinsic and a true testament to an artist’s ability to utilise their full potential, while incorporating aspects of culture outside the normal to which the audience experiences on a daily basis. Dickins’ brilliance, combined with the dedication of the cast, created some of the best harmonies and melodies the Powerhouse has ever experienced. It is truly spectacular when a small cast can bring together the qualities and sounds of a major chorus, particularly when performing with instruments as well.
Shimchong is all together an excellent performance piece, and a wonderful source of inspiration for local emerging artists to look at when crafting their own performances. The creative team at Motherboard Productions, has done an excellent job of creating a fully formed performance and filling it with an immense amount of detail, while not going over the top. Rather, they use subtlety and minimalist sets and props to deliver an effective story and ambiance to their audiences. To the audiences involved, take in as much as you can; enjoy the dedication, thought, and intrinsic details of every component that has been thoughtfully written into Shimchong: Daughter Overboard. As this performance continues to grow, develop, and spread across Australia, it will be truly an exciting time, not only just for Motherboard Productions, but for all their audiences as well.
Rating: 4.5 stars out of 5
Shimchong: Daughter Overboard
Director: Jeremy Neideck
Co-Writers: Jeremy Neideck and Kathleen McLeod
Original Music by: Tom Dickins
Executive Producer: Dave Sleswick
Lighting Designer: David Walters
Production Designer: Josh McIntosh
Cast:
Hoyoung Tak, Younghee Park, Dayhe Chu, Giema Contini, Tony Mayor, Ben Warren, Alinta McGrady.
Presented by: Brisbane Powerhouse & Motherboard Productions
Brisbane Powerhouse – Visy Theatre
18 – 23 FEB 2016
