Mouthpiece @ King's Hall
Two performers present one woman's attempts to find her voice in Mouthpiece, a complex exploration of female identity
Norah Sadava and Amy Nostbakken's Mouthpiece unravels the fractured psyche of one woman, Cassandra, in her quest to deliver a eulogy for her mother. The decision to have the character played by two actors is an ingenious one, highlighting the nuanced and multi-layered nature of female selfhood.
Sadava and Nostbakken do not simply play set aspects of Cassandra's psyche, rather they interweave roles as they tumble, interlocked, about the stage. Their synchronisation is flawless, and their energy second to none. Simliarly their voices – which are, as the title suggests, a key part of the performance; their harmonies and spoken word sections are wonderfully written, and superbly executed. The use of props and stage space is simple, yet inventive and striking.
The show is playful and highly tongue in cheek in spite of its serious subject matter, ensuring that it remains riveting for the whole performance. Beneath that witty surface, at its core Mouthpiece is heart-wrenching and raw, never for a second sugar-coating its haunting exploration of female identity. This constantly compelling show is one of the most accurate and insightful portrayals of womanhood you are likely to see at the Fringe this year.