Review: Part One of House Of Sand's Sydney Fringe Offering, PEDAL.PEDDLE Is An Intriguing, Thought Provoking Experience

Tuesday 20th September 2016, 7pm, Old 505, 5 Eliza St Newtown

Captivating and confusing all at the same time, PEDAL.PEDDLE, half of Eliza Sander's offering for Sydney Fringe Festival, has the audience mesmerised as they try to make sense of the expressive work. A combination of dance, movement, music, spoken word and visual art, this work has people guessing as Saunders drifts between logic and confusion.

The intimate space of Old 505 is dressed simply with a washing line, complete with pegs, and an asymmetrical mirror laid on the floor. The pixie like Eliza Sanders, swathed in an extensive patchwork of colourful rags and carrying an old suitcase sets the tone for a mystifying, comical and creative 'story'.

Whilst a definitive meaning is difficult to decipher, this work, directed by Eliza's brother Charles Saunders, has a wonderful intelligence, ensuring that the audience see Eliza as much more than a dancer. Starting with the comic memory device that turns into a meditative chant, complete with some amusing connections side-tracking the recall, we see Eliza's linguistic playfulness. When teamed with her physicality that taps into more than just traditional stylings but oozes imagination and innovation yet still retaining a simplicity, the 'story' becomes even more abstract. There are moments that exude innocence and whimsy, particularly the contortions involving a sweater, that are reminiscing of a small child playing. This is contrasted with times of seriousness and deep though in her words and actions.

Eliza's spoken word 'poetry' is beautifully clear, honest and presented as her own, not attempting to take on voices or accents ensuring the connection with the audience remains personal, even as she alternates between talking to the audience and talking to an imaginary listener in the corner. Her vocals have a richness, warmth and at times a touch of melancholy. Whilst the 'poetry' is intriguing, there is also a lovely balance of silence where the audience is allowed to focus on her movement.

PEDAL.PEDDLE is an unusual, beautiful, intriguing and baffling work which for some part, may be best viewed without trying to make sense of it and just enjoying the rhythm of the text, the beauty of the movement and the vibrancy of the costume. This work is being presented in conjunction with House of Sand's CASTLES playing on alternate nights with a double bill on Saturday night.

PEDAL.PEDDLE and CASTLES

Creator/Performer Eliza Sanders, Director/Dramaturg Charles Sanders

Sydney Fringe 20-24 Sept at Old 505 Theatre, 5 Eliza St Newtown

Pedal Tues & Thur 7pm, Sat 6pm; Castles Wed, Fri, Sat 7pm

Melbourne Fringe 27 Sep to 1 Oct at Gasworks, 21 Graham St Albert Park

Pedal (Studio) Tue & Fri 8.30pm; Castles (Big House) Tue-Sat 9.30pm

Canberra 6-8 Oct at QL2 Gorman House, 55 Ainslie Ave Braddon

Pedal Sat 7pm; Castles Thurs-Sat 8pm

All Tickets: $25 / $18 ($18/$15 each for double bill) Bookings: www.houseofsand.org

More info at www.houseofsand.org/projects

See the trailer: https://vimeo.com/120265696