Worm-Hole (Winnipeg Reviews)
ARCHIVE EDITOR'S NOTE --- The following reviews of Worm-Hole are in connection with Niki's participation in the 2002 Winnipeg Fringe Festival in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada from July 18-28. All but one of the reviews were gleaned from a Festival Companion Website operated by CBC Manitoba, the Winnipeg affiliate of the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC). Audience reviews are presented first, followed by the official CBC reviews. The final review is from The Winnipeg Free Press daily newspaper.
Audience Reviews
RELENTLESS & GRACEFUL --- Niki McCretton's Worm-Hole is a brilliant, highly-physical, darkly-comic exploration on the role of women and worship, power and patriarchy, ritual and routine. Any man concerned about women, any woman concerned about women, any people interested in the effects of men's and women's roles and the devastation of boxes people are conditioned into, and anyone interested in climbing their way out of their own wormhole, are encouraged to see this show. Niki's brilliance lies in her understanding of her material and her ability to essentialize, crystallize and convey her ideas through gesture, embodied character, metaphor, movement and stillness. She pulls the audience into her show and for 70 relentless, deep and darkly graceful minutes, creates an engaging world of women's rituals and routines. The show may be dark, but what she conveys through the sheer articulate beauty of her performance is nothing less than a vision of hope and an expression of love for the world we all live in. Worm-Hole is a show to be seen, felt and experienced.
(Seth Bloom - 20 July 2002)
MOVES LIKE A GAZELLE --- Exceptionally creative ..... Best to go to the show with absolutely no pre-conceptions about what you are about to see, thus you can be properly amazed at this woman's creative genius. She moves like a gazelle through the set and needs no words to gain control over you ... amazing. Out of 16 Winnipeg Fringe shows, my fave (and I've seen a lot of 5 stars).
(Mikaila Hardy - 24 July 2002)
SPEAKS VOLUMES --- The complex layering of a rich palette of notions conveyed in a seemingly simplistic series of recapitulated, almost mantric-like patterns might have eluded some (re)viewers; would that we all (re)view the ritualized patterns of our own cultural heritage and consequent behaviour fixations, and find the wormhole out of our selves into some self more authentic than could ever be represented by the collective containers of culture and presumed external sources of authority. Niki's conception and performance were a deep insight into, and a powerful criticism of, the myriad of unexamined routines through which we tend to self-identify and find our security. Her talents with physical theatre were accomplished enough to speak volumes with practically no dialogue. Our collective and personal cultures could all benefit from some sources of authority that are less burdened and hidden by words, and more inspired by a deeper realization of our true nature as conscious beings. Go to the show and find your own wormhole.
(Cameron Nims - 20 July 2002)
DEPRESSING BUT HOPEFUL --- The longer I am away from this show, the more I am impressed with it. The play explores both the personal and the systemic, as the shell of repressive religion is cracked open to let the light in. The crack gives the character room to emerge, but one knows her escape hasn't destroyed the jar, although it is weakened. The play is both hopeful and depressing. Poignant for me is the moment when she sits among the growing clutter, in rebellion, and is caught by her enculturated patterns, and almost beyond resistance, she picks up her rag and starts to clean. Any woman working toward emancipation from the constriction of gender expectations can realize this moment is REAL. Feminist women of faith will recognize how the very rituals that perpetuate patriarchal traditions rise in our practice the moment we let our guard down. I would highly recommend it.
(Caryn Douglas - 20 July 2002)
A POIGNANT PIECE --- An engaging work ..... Niki McCretton stars as a nun who grows increasingly frustrated with her routine. Not much need be said from her lips - her movements convey her emotions brilliantly. The title refers to the cubbyhole cabinet from which Niki pulls out various objects from time to time. A poignant piece that will have you thinking.
("Fedora Man" - 23 July 2002)
WE'RE WITH YOU! --- Have been reading a book by Joanna Manning about the history of misogyny in the church and I was deeply moved by Ms. McCretton's performance as it reinforced what I was reading. The pathos of preparing for guests who never come struck a nerve. The structured life of schedules and routines never really allows the person to develop and we see the decline of the nun's enthusiasm for everything. When she walked out leaving all behind, we were with her all the way. I particularly thought the use of music to mark the hours and the change of routine made the lack of dialogue irrelevant. Would love to know who composed the music or from where it was found. Until last night, I hadn't really thought about how most of our lives are structured around little boxes and the routines that develop. Given the opportunity, I would go again.
(Larry S. - 23 July 2002)
LET'S HAVE SOME MORE! --- Niki McCretton is fabulous. More more more!
(Fatima El Anima - 24 July 2002)
BREATHTAKING --- A remarkable piece of allegory, Worm-Hole resonates on many levels beyond the obvious. Niki McCretton, a gifted actor-dancer-teacher from Bridgwater, Somerset, England, has skillfully used the challenge of physical theatre (no dialogue until near the end, but none is necessary) and the trappings of a novice chained to her devotion to describe the subservience of the common person to the various ideologies and social norms that rule our world with dictatorial force. Ms. McCretton's physical commentary on the subservient/unequal role of women in our society is immediately obvious, as is the extent to which our world is ruled by the stifling dictates of religious ideology. But she does not single out just one or two aspects - indeed, our addiction to science and technology, our imprisonment within political boundaries, our adherence to pre-determined routine in everyday life under socio-economic artificiality is all present in her work. As for her performance, Ms. McCretton's physicality is a breathtaking combination of skilled athleticism and art. No dialogue is required to elicit pathos from her audience. I was not only drawn to her character very early on, but began relating to her on a very basic level. Before long, I was not only identifying with her, but had become one with her ... sharing every frown, every wince, every flash of anger and resentment, every pang of longing and disappointment. I rejoiced in her rebellion and exulted in her seeming freedom. Her world had become my world. As I write this, there is only one performance of Worm-Hole remaining at MTC Warehouse on Sunday 28 July at 9:30 p.m. Do try to break the chains of your Sunday night subservience and see a work of art that will captivate you in very positive ways.
(Robin Chase - 27 July 2002)
CBC Manitoba Official Reviews
ENGAGING & CHARMING --- Imagine awaiting the arrival of a higher power all alone, in a room with few provisions and a rigorous, ritualistic schedule driven by a controlling soundtrack. Niki McCretton takes us inside her experience in this movement-based, nearly silent piece. As time passes, the saviour she awaits changes, but none makes it through the door. Her pious nature challenged, we see her slowly letting loose, acting defiantly toward the exalted portrait hanging on the wall. While the program lists this as a family show, it also suggests it is best suited to those 10 and up. But don't head for this venue if you're looking for a speedy, active dance piece. This 70-minute show moves fairly slowly off the top and repeats elements to establish a pattern, but the end result is thoroughly engaging and sweetly charming. Worm-Hole is exactly what Fringe theatre is all about. It's challenging, entertaining and not like anything you'll see on a mainstream stage.
(Anne Lazowski - 4/5 Stars - 19 July 2002)
(From Ms. Lazowski's July 26 Wrap-Up Report: A beautifully performed exploration of control and conformity told using movement and music.)
WHAT DA HECK? --- This is a strange play. I spent much of my time trying to figure out what was happening. The main character is silent through most of the production. The show is centred around the contents of some 26 boxes that are neatly organized in a wall unit at the back of the stage. The character goes through stages of obsessive cleaning, worshipping of Time Magazine and fits of contemporary dance. When it was all said and done, I said to myself, "What the hell was that?" That being said, the show was very polished and well executed, and seemed to please many of the members of the audience.
(Ken Gordon - 3/5 Stars - 19 July 2002)
Winnipeg Free Press Review
GIFTED & FLEXIBLE --- UK-based Niki McCretton demonstrates considerable talent as a gifted actor and flexible dancer in this polished, mostly mimed, physical-theatre show. A young novice in black habit performs her routine: cleaning, studying, exercising, eating and bathing. Gradually, we see that much more lies beneath her habit(s) as her tightly-bound self becomes unhinged, but perhaps liberated. Various items play a role in the novice's journey, though it's open to interpretation. She pulls props from over a dozen file boxes sitting on a huge shelving unit, using them effectively, but always subservient to her own movements and facial expressions. Clocking in at 70 minutes, this show is for audience members who enjoy looking for meaning in sublime absurdity and physical theatre.
(Gilles Marchildon - 3/5 Stars - July 2002)
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