The debut production of The Kin Collective, Glimpse takes us into a world where people don’t look away, where experiences are had, relationships are built, and connections are discovered because someone took a chance and opened up to a complete stranger. The Kin Collective ensemble features such big names in TV and theatre including Noni Hazlehurst and one of my personal favourites Marg Downey. Glimpse features Downey in a couple of disparate roles while Hazlehurst takes the reins as Associate Director alongside Director Laura Maitland, who stars alongside Downey.
The sets are largely based around animations by cartoonist Jason Chatfield, projected on the gloomy walls of fortyfivedownstairs, creating an otherworldly atmosphere. A variety of characters – some likeable, some decidedly not – weave in and out of each others lives in a series of vignettes played out in this world. At times this style can feel a little disjointed, which makes sense when one considers that the stories were developed initially through improvisation before being woven into a combined narrative. That said, the stories are interesting and engaging and the fundamental challenges posed to the way we live our lives are very worthwhile. A solid debut from a collection of experienced artists.
