Romeo Lau
Faced with the crushing grief of being unable to return to Chengdu when her grandmother passes away while trying to pull herself together for her gallery debut as a visual artist, July 15th to… is a one-woman physical theatre piece conveying the story of Ella Ling (Peiyi Zhong) as she grapples with the highs and lows of bipolar disorder. Days fade and blur into one another as she is caught up in a whirlwind of emotion and overwhelm, punctuated by the loneliness of having moved away from her family to London for her career.
Entering into the space, the audience is immediately faced with a bedroom in organised chaos, socks and paintings strewn all over but never leaving their end of the stage, peppered with the occasional snack wrappers and bundles of fabric. I really enjoyed the usage of these materials, highlights including when we first see Ella fall apart, breathing into an empty crisp bag; as well as a stunning dance sequence near the midpoint of the piece where a sheet of blue fabric is draped over Zhong as she experiences true freedom and relaxation in the ocean.
When faced with a nonlinear narrative, a lot of artists’ first instinct is to ensure the audience isn’t completely alienated from the happenings of the plot. On this, July 15th to… falls into the trap of overcompensating for one of its strongest elements with heavy exposition. Within the first 10 minutes of the show, Ella breaks the fourth wall and addresses the audience directly, beginning her narration and making it very clear that this is a story about navigating the after effects of trauma. I found this redundant when faced later on with the intrinsic expression in movement that Zhong conveys in both facial and bodily control, as well as her ability to use the space to its full potential.
The script has its load-bearing moments, especially in its final scene where Ella is confronted with a memory of her deceased grandmother telling her to breathe as she has a panic attack at her gallery’s opening day. Zhong’s physicality and voice work as the grandmother deeply reminded me of my own, which moved me especially when Ella’s grandmother tells her: “你永远是我的骄傲” (tr. you will always be my pride and joy). I wanted to see more of the interactions between Ella and different characters, showing instead of telling the emotional context behind the story.
July 15th to… is a visceral but heartfelt depiction of the devastating interaction between bipolar disorder and grief.
Recommended Drink: A warm cup of 普洱茶 (Pu’er tea) at a dim sum restaurant surrounded by your loved ones.
You can catch July 15th to… at theSpace @ Niddry St (Lower Theatre) until August 29th from 11:50 (50mins). Tickets are available through the EdFringe Online Box Office.
Shay Mace
Isobel Jacob
Freddie Haberfellner
