Leianna Boodaghians’ emotionally resonant exploration of her heritage, and the legacy of a forgotten genocide, began this Up Next double bill of new writing from across the city. This autobiographical performance follows Boodaghians’ own journey, as she explores her Armenian identity and uncovers a wealth of atrocities that resulted in Armenians being one of the world’s most dispersed peoples.
The subject matter is incredibly hard-hitting, leading Boodaghians to question how you can relate to something so unimaginable as she shares verbatim accounts of the horrors of April 1915, when the Ottoman Empire attempted to eradicate Armenians. Boodaghians covers so much in the show, interweaving stories of her family with historical accounts and interviews. Some of these family anecdotes initially feel like light relief but as the piece progresses you realise the dexterity that Boodaghians – with director Emma Bramley – has worked with to connect images and themes demonstrating the layers and resonances within this story.
Boodaghians has an engaging stage presence, particularly when connecting with the audience as herself and it will be interesting to see how this piece evolves as she leans into this, grows in confidence and settles into the rhythms of the performance. Bramley’s direction maintains the flow of the piece and there are lovely touches throughout from the crackle on the opening music to footage of an old woman’s hands as she shares her tragic story.
The set design is sparse, the black-box disrupted by trails of sand– which we come to realise represents the Syrian Desert where so many Armenians were killed. This is an absorbing autobiographical work that raises questions of legacy, heritage, belonging and identity, shedding light on an atrocity and considering the weight on those who survived of continuing to honour a culture and create a community.
The Weight of Repopulating a Nation will also be available to view online one month after the live event. The show will be available at a Pay What You Can Rate and can be accessed via The Unity website. Part of Unity’s Open Call. https://www.unitytheatreliverpool.co.uk/
Reviewer: Clare Chandler
Reviewed: 17th September 2021
North West End UK Rating: ★★★★