Claire Cunningham is a Scottish Choreographer who directed and starred in the show; ‘Songs of the Wayfarer.’ Cunningham’s work usually centres on themes of disability and challenging ableist narratives as she was born with osteoporosis and Identifies as a disabled person. Songs of the Wayfarer is a ninety minute long show which follows Claire as she journeys across the show venue with the help of a torch and a pair of crutches. Orange tape marked spots in the venue (On and off stage) where she would stop to tell the audience anecdotes of her life or give reassurance that she thought the audience needed. At other points Claire would sing operatically and beautifully. Although she spoke in English, the singing was done in German with French and Dutch subtitles. As she walked Claire counted the steps and a prerecorded poem would play through the speakers.
As I watched the show, I was seated… actually I was lying down on the stage very near to Claire. There were about four of five bean bags beside me and we were situated on the left of the stage. From my seat I had a great view of Claire as she moved across the stage and throughout the venue, although it was difficult to read the short phrases that were projected on the stage at seemingly random intervals. A long white cloth stretched from the ceiling to about halfway across the stage where the Dutch and French subtitles were written. The cloth was also used as a skirt during the show as she performed one of the many beautiful dances she did. The show began with Claire explaining to the audience what they were to expect “About Seven minutes of darkness like this” she said as the lights dimmed and the room turned to almost complete pitch black. She also explained that there would be some breaks for the audience, and true to her word Claire sat down, told the audience to take a snack or a drink, or to make themselves more comfortable. She also cracked jokes typical of dry British humour, for example when she asked us if we were okay and that what we went through was hard even though she had just walked with crutches up and down the steps and was sweating. Jokes like these were common throughout the show and I appreciated that. Though it was ninety minutes and repetitive on paper I enjoyed the show and was left wanting for more by the time the applause began. Her dance performance by the end of the show was mesmerising and it was inspiring to see a woman in crutches move so gracefully. At the beginning of the show, however, her moves were a lot more awkward and stilted as if she had a weight on her shoulders. After one of her breaks, however, it felt as if the weight had disappeared. She had told us a story about her friend who used to bring her coffee after every rehearsal, about how they practiced a routine where she would walk across her friend’s back crutchless. She also spoke of her Grandmother’s shortbread and even gave some to the audience to try. After her grandmother passed her father began making the shortbread, then her mother and now she makes her own coffees after every rehearsal. It was a touching story that spoke to how we scarcely appreciate things until they’re gone. After telling the story she moved with a freedom not seen earlier in the show. In the corner of the stage was a mountain built from crutches. Occasionally she would add and take away from the mountain and by the end of the show she left the box of shortbread at the base of the mountain and a rose hanging off a crutch. As a constant throughout the show I believe it represented the struggle of manouvering with crutches being akin to climbing a mountain while also being an immovable obstacle in her life as a mountain is.
Pictures : Sven Hagolani
A negative aspect of the show that I observed was the choice to sing in German which confused me and damaged the show’s accessibility. Especially as the lyrics were not translated into english. The phrases which flashed onto the stage floor were also only visible from certain seats which was a confusing choice. Furthermore, while the show flew by for me, some people I spoke to expressed gripes with the length of the show especially as it was inarguably repetitive. Songs of the Wayfarer was a unique experience for me and most audience members that I talked to about it. Claire’s candid explanation of the show and dry humour made it an intimate performance and these moments of exposition were complemented by wonderful choreography and captivating poetry. Some choices made took away from the final product such as the German singing and repetition but it still made for a moving and eye-opening experience for me. Songs of the Wayfarer is an experience that I recommend.
Thabiso Magazi