The magical production of The Wreck was instantly captivating. I quickly became emotionally attached to the brother and sister duo (Camilla Anvar and Morgan Beale) as they reunite in their hometown and dive into their family’s secrets.
As I took my seat before the huge mesh screen, I wondered how they would pull off this ambitious blending of film, theatre, puppetry, and music — and I was absolutely blown away. It seemed easy, natural, and never too much. I watched in awe as the actors performed behind the screen for the cameras that projected their images onto the mesh. They moved gracefully, fully exposed as they dressed and undressed the set, handled intricate puppets, and performed the relatable dialogue of a brother and sister figuring things out. There was no room for error, not that they made any.
The mesh screen allowed for a cinematic projection of the story, while giving the audience insight into the production of the show. They revealed all their secrets, yet it didn’t ruin the magic, only added to the wonder.
This tale of family and adventure was fantastical but not so much that it felt unrelatable. The actors performed with a conviction that warmed my heart. These performances, as well as the impressive live camera work, fully submerged me into their world.
The nightclub scenes stood out – showcasing the magic of filmmaking – as I watched the characters dance awkwardly next to each other on the screen. But looking through the mesh, it was comical to see that this dank corner of a club was actually just a space at the back of the stage, and the person who squeezed past them, violating their personal space (we all know the feeling), actually had all the room in the world.
There were a million ways that Buzzcut Productions could have produced this show, but, to me, it felt like every creative choice they made was the right one. I’d never seen anything like it, yet this magical fusion of film, music, theatre and puppetry made complete sense, like a feat anyone could pull off. From getting the honour of witnessing this piece of art alongside its real-time creation, I know that this is not the case.
The Wreck is running until 31 August in the Old Lab at Summerhall. Buy tickets here.
Image by Alex Brenner, provided to The Student for press use.
