With tears in my eyes, and a hole in my heart, I left Bedlam Theatre changed by a play about a man I had not heard of an hour prior.
Walking into the theatre, I had felt a sense of serenity at the calm crashing of waves and seagulls gently calling over the loudspeakers as a man lay motionless against a bench. In an instant, Leendert Hasenbosch comes alive on Ascension Island and captures the audience by the throat.
Written by Dan Hazelwood, who plays Leendert, or Lee for short, and directed by Max Lindsay, Ascension brings Lee’s diary to life, chronicling the daily fight for survival on the island and revisiting the past that left him there. It’s a tragic tale that intertwines religion, queerness, and the failure of acceptance in the 18th century.
Reclaiming the narrative is the main theme that sticks throughout the show. Hazelwood strips the fanatical back to reveal the truth underneath in a poetic performance. The rhythm carries the story directly to the audience’s eyes and ears.
This is a play that impedes on any understanding you thought you had of queer reality in the 18th century. It transforms the life of Hasenbosch from a tall tale into a previous reality. It provides a new angle to the tragedy, infusing it with joy and oozes with adoration; making Hasenbosch someone to relate to, someone to identify with.
Two men, a bench, and incredible lighting technique make this one of the most creative and beautifully executed productions in all of the Fringe. From writing to direction to performance, Ascension exceeds all expectations.
Ascension is running until 2pm every day at. 25 August at Bedlam Theatre.
Buy tickets here.
Image courtesy of Dan Hazelwood, provided to The Student to use as press material.