Home and theatre will always be there

Compagnie La neigesur les cils Theatre, France

Writer, director, cast: Vera Rozanova

Stage Design: Lucile Reguerre, Samy Baras Puppet

Design: Vera Rozanova, Lucas Prieux

Music: Thomas Demay

There’s a line in Federico Fellini’s film Le Notti di Cabiria that quotest: "We can pretend to be cynical and calculating, but when faced with purity and innocence, the mask of cynicism is dropped and the good inside ourselves awakened." The puppetry monodrama Don't Wait for Me... produces the same effect. The crucial motifs of the play are those of home and belonging. The author approaches its topic with warmth, depth and in an unpretentious way. The premise of the play is that during the night houses leave on long journeys and sometimes we are unable to find our safe place in the morning. The main character, a hand-puppet, is looking for his house. Along the way, he meets other searchers, houses wandering through space looking for their tenants, birds searching for or rebuilding their nests... Ultimately, the main character's house was there all along - on the actress’ back. The protagonist concludes that even though exciting events might be ahead of us, home will always be waiting for us, somewhere in the back.

The stage is constructed from rotating parts. Aided by the projector screen, it creates the impression of a universe in constant motion. It is also reminiscent of toys hanging above children’s cradles to admire before falling asleep. It all further evokes childhood emotions of being carefree and safe - which the home should symbolically stand for. The entire play felt like a hug for the soul.

At the end of the play, the actress addressed the audience introducing the creative team wishing that the skies on our way home be both bright and gloomy - but forever calm. In the corner of the stage, the bird-shaped flags of Palestine and Ukraine were projected. May all children under the sky polluted with bombs successfully navigate back to their homes and childhood!

Audience impressions after the play:

“I didn’t quite understand everything, but I enjoyed it immensely.” (boy, age 8)

“I found it very touching.” (girl, age 13)

“It was excellent.” (boy, age 9)

“It brought back childhood memories. I no longer feel afraid.” (girl, age 27)

“I even shed a tear.” (girl, age 22)

Divna Stojanov