Storm in the North? There certainly is.<\/h2>\n

Let\u2019s set the scene, we\u2019re in a public library, there are 70 or so seats in a circle facing the \u201cstage.\u201d This is already a bold setup; In The Round with no backstage area a fairly daunting task to balance these 2 things. Then let\u2019s add in a few sparse props and the most basic of scenery. More daunting, and for good reason, this is after all a semi-professional production. And finally let\u2019s add 8 characters played by 3 performers. Now it\u2019s a tall order, a lot of time, work and dedication is needed to balance all these spinning plates.<\/p>\n

Joy Winkler, Josie Cerise, Harvey Robinson and all members of Action Transport Theatre manage to do all of this and so much more.<\/p>\n

What may appear at first to be a simple piece is something far more important, Lightning Under Their Skirts treads the line between poetry, theatre and social commentary. Joy Winkler\u2019s tender respect shines through each line uttered on stage whether spoken by herself or her fellow performers. The piece isn\u2019t dissimilar to other socially important texts such Road by Jim Cartwright it offers a similar platform for real voices. Joy Winkler the humble, unassuming Former Cheshire Poet Laureate captures the spirit of an entire cross section of society we don\u2019t see much of anymore and we should all thank her for the style, grace and love she pours into her work.<\/p>\n

In The Round is always a juggling act that can be daunting to many. However the simple, warm and calm set design combined with the natural grace that Winkler, Cerise and Robinson posses quickly and completely flood the performance space with life that seems familiar and peaceful. But this doesn\u2019t mean the piece isn\u2019t also very funny. Perhaps some of the points are dated and very young audiences wouldn\u2019t grasp all of the retro references but the marketing is simple and efficient, you know what you\u2019re getting. The proof of this is in the fact the audience of all ages adored the performance, I spared a few moments to watch reactions and ask people what they thought and I wasn\u2019t surprised to first see people utterly absorbed and I was less surprised when people told me they loved every second \u201cIt\u2019s just so familiar.\u201d Explained one on looker.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s just so familiar.\u201d<\/h2>\n

Lightning Under Their skirts is familiar. It is real. This is social observation stamped on a page it\u2019s relatable it\u2019s close to home but most importantly it isn\u2019t invasive. Prodding into the past and reminding people of their own experiences is easy to get wrong. Here it\u2019s done perfectly, it is the perfect storm (in the north.) If you watch the audience you can see the monologues and characters envelope them and take them somewhere personal and unique, this is surely the essence of theatre; the ability to transport an audience into a world of your making.<\/p>\n

However it\u2019s ten-fold when done with 1 different piece of costume for each character, when done with poetry and music which blend seamlessly and gently without breaking this suspension it\u2019s even more potent. Winkler\u2019s occasional reciting of poetry don\u2019t sound like poetry, it sounds like the voices of millions of people speaking at once through her, if this was done with any arrogance or conceit it would have derailed the whole performance but Winkler changes shape on stage and becomes your aunt, your mother, your grandmother and emits the same homely love. Cerise is your sister, your best friend and the girl you never manged to stay with. And let\u2019s not forget Gary (Harvey Robinson.) His slick sliding encapsulates that young wild masculinity so confident, so brash and so utterly terrified of the world.<\/p>\n

The depths of these characters are balanced brilliantly by a professional in control cast that have earned our respect.<\/p>\n

\u201cBrilliant use of proxemics and a stoic devotion to genuine emotion.\u201d<\/h2>\n

Lightning Under Their Skirts also doesn\u2019t shy away from pain or raw emotion, the sudden switches surprise turning these already familiar characters into more rounded people, again we can see Winkler\u2019s first-hand experience guiding (Not showing) us through this pain and distress. This further draws the audience into the show.<\/p>\n

This show is funded by The Arts Council and rightly so. This is the type of show that The Arts Council should be funding. Socially responsible, \u201creal\u201d theatre. I also know for a fact that the heart and the core of this show wouldn\u2019t be lost without the funding, a budget is fairly irrelevant when you have care and respect at the forefront of both the writing and the performance. But given that afore-mentioned funding this show can reach more people in more places, and it rightfully should.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat are boys and girls made of? This piece very subtly tells us.\u201d<\/h2>\n

Until now I\u2019ve been speaking entirely about the first act. The second act is bold.<\/p>\n

We return after a 15 minute interlude to rowed seating and see Robinson, Winkler and Cerise sat and stood in front of us, the second act beings with more of Winkler\u2019s wonderful sage words and is followed by an unexpected event, Robinson and Cerise sing a class 60\u2019s piece, and we; the audience, are told to get into groups of 5 for a quiz a lot of people would think this isn\u2019t a second act but I believe it is.<\/p>\n

Let\u2019s get this clear. The performers are not acting. This is them talking to us. So we do a quiz which is fun but I still feel oddly uncomfortable for some reason. We hear a few more classic hits from the new Sonny & Cher and a winner is announced, but I still feel oddly on edge, and I realise why.<\/p>\n

This incredibly unconventional second act focuses on the one aspect that 3 performers can\u2019t easily capture. Community. This quiz is no quiz. It\u2019s a brief glimpse at a time when people spoke to each other this may sound pessimistic but it certainly isn\u2019t meant to, just remember that we were still in a theatre so our phones were still off, we only had each other to talk to. The room was alive with energy. I felt uncomfortable because I\u2019m so used to seeing a show and then not talking to anyone in the audience, but now I\u2019m being shown I can; I\u2019m unlearning programmed behaviour.<\/p>\n