Polarbear Opens Mouth and A Story Jumps Out at the Kennedy Center

Sometimes you attend a performance and one of the most memorable parts is something unscripted and spontaneous, and that leaves you with a lasting impression of the performance. In Mouth Open, Story Jump Out, the phenomenal solo performance by UK spoken word artist, Polarbear, something unscripted happened and it was truly wonderful.

You enter the Terrace Gallery at the Kennedy Center, to find a very messy child's bedroom with a wall of artwork. The children in the audience are invited to sit on the floor of the room and Polarbear goes to work. The solo piece might as well list the children as his costars because the interaction between him and the children is natural and unrehearsed. As he teaches the children about storytelling, he elicits responses: a name, an age, a favorite food... all of these he adds to his stories. But one question he asked: "What is the best job to have in the world." And one precious youngster answered with "College Drop-Out". That one moment set the mood the for the entire piece. Polarbear laughed and mentioned that some people think that is HIS job (even though he tells the adults, that is absolutely not the case). His banter with the audience is a huge part of his appeal and performance ability.

The story is simple: a child (himself) fancies a world with his best friend, Dominic, the absent father (who is on a secret spy mission), and the class bully-turned confidant, David. Along with his bear like teacher, his dog Gus, and his sister Donna, Polarbear tells of all the "stories" he tells his friends about his father. As he learns throughout the performance, his "stories" are really lies and he learns what the difference between a story is (a gift his father tells him) and a lie (something selfish he learns).

Polarbear, aka Steven Camden, is mesmerizing. Truly enchanting. In the hour long performance, the kids are never bored. He involves the adults too, having us join the kids in an arts and crafts project, which he hopes will adorn future sets of his show. Mr. Camden is truly a gifted performer. He doesn't like to be a called an actor, because this performance, as we learn in the Q&A after is true, and truly personal. The show originated at the Battersea Arts Centre in London, and as since performed all over the world.

From Mr. Camden's bio in the program, it says that this is his first piece for young audiences and according to him he is working on a sequel, "chapter two," he says. I do hope that the Kennedy Center invites him back in the future, and maybe that young child who thinks "College Drop-Out" is this best job to have may rethink his choice add Storyteller to his list.

Mouth Open, Story Jump Out plays through May 28, 2017 at the Kennedy Center Terrace Gallery. Visit the Kennedy Center for tickets and the remainder of their season.

Photos courteously of Polarbear