Deliverance @ Traverse Theatre
Kolbrún Björt Sigfúsdóttir's innovative at-home experience is an innovative exercise in reflection
Deliverance is an obscure and covert performance, written by Kolbrún Björt Sigfúsdóttir. The Icelandic director's work has spanned a wide range of performance styles, but Deliverance stands out as one of her most unique and engaging performances. Developed during lockdown, this year is its Fringe debut. The piece itself is mysterious and conceptual, yet it manages to produce a charmingly personal and individualised experience, with its use of extreme audience engagement helping it stand out as an innovative act.
The performance consists of a delivery to your door: a heavy card envelope and a personalised soundtrack. It is a solo performance in which you are the main act, audience, and also sometimes the director. It is an intimate process which sets you up for a pseudo-therapeutic night with yourself. Engaging with the performance effectively requires a certain amount of self-reflection. The performer is taken through a sequence of personal questions; it can be paced as slowly as you like, providing a welcome respite from the hectic festival energy. It does, however, take a few moments to adapt to the situation. There is an unprecedented amount of free will involved – as there is no one watching you but yourself.
As you move though the play, it becomes second nature to follow the instructions, and you enter a game-like state. This is intentional, and Kolbrún’s nature as a dramaturg comes through, as it is a clever reflection of different theatrical roles. Instead of the audience being an inactive observer, they are actively engaging in the creation of the play, making decisions and deciding the direction. This is a significant change from the normal theatre experience; whether it has a role in a post-lockdown society is yet to be decided. It does, however, provide a delightfully secretive one-person show that leaves and the performer with a feeling of calm and reflection. Deliverance can truly be whatever you make it.
Deliverance, Traverse Theatre, at home (EH postcodes only), until 24 Aug, times vary, £18-20