Ophelia Rewound – Applecart Arts

Honest and vulnerable exploration of the artist’s experience and reflections on attempted suicide. The piece has evolved over the three years of lockdown, and writer, director & performer Antigoni Spanou starts at that moment of transformation and reconsideration of ‘Ophelia’ choosing to reflect and hold on to her breath. Superbly supported in projection mapping, sound and lighting design by Joseph Thorpe. The character’s imaginations and reflections get projected, transporting the audience from spirals of the mind to a meditative waterfall.

The one-act play moves the audience from passive observers to actively recreating characters on stage, playing games and drinking tea parties! Even if you are not on stage with the actor, you are thinking through what you would reply to that question, what part of your personality you will reveal to this circle of unknown theatregoers. In being so vulnerable and opening conversation, and creating pauses for discussion, Antigoni makes a ‘Communitea’ of witnessing while being witnessed.

The show has several elements that evoke curiosity, and I would love to be explored and unravel them with time. The timer shows up, a packet of chips, and a song. One can hear bits of Greek music that ‘Ophelia’ has been fixated on as she is sucked into the whirlpool of her thoughts through depression. I would love for more ‘Of Ophelia’s’ identity to be slowly revealed, the stories of women who came before her, the archetypes she defies. Hamlet’s Ophelia was obedient, bewildered and heartbroken, but how would she react to information about mental health awareness? The play sits at the helm of intersections of personal story/ reminisce, technology and social constructs/ ideologies of how mental health shows up in women. I would love more invitations to explore and co create the moments on stage for the audience. Don’t miss ‘Ophelia Rewound’ for its thought-provoking interactions on a necessary topic of discussion of a collective transformation we need and are looking for.

Playing March 21st – March 25th 2023, https://applecartarts.com/in_the_theatre.php?id=4043&title=ophelia-rewound

Reviewer: Anisha Pucadyil

Reviewed: 21st March 2023

North West End UK Rating: ★★★★