Created and performed by Bronwyn Sims of Strong Coffee Stage
Company, “Moment of Impact” is a strange, multimedia, one-woman show
that explores how trauma experienced and tragedy witnessed can change the
trajectory of a life. Inspired by real events, the story is told through the
creative use of a sparse set, theater, dance, and aerial acrobatics. Though
Sims is an entertaining performer, the work felt like a disjointed collection
of interesting moments and observations.
The set consists of a two small benches, a suitcase, a spotlight
facing the audience and off to one side, and a rope ladder, which at different
times serves as train tracks or a building’s scaffolding.
Sims plays a woman who is traveling to Yale Repertory Theater
to provide a consultation for their production of Henrik Ibsen’s “The Master
Builder.” Along the way, the train is delayed for hours after it hits a young
man who has deliberately jumped in front of it. Sims plays multiple passengers
who witness the event. To pass the time, she dramatically recites Ibsen in
different ways — including one silly recreation of the death scene using a
draftsman’s compass, a handkerchief, a tissue box, and a water bottle —
meditating on the moment of impact.
The show ends in a non-climatic, abrupt way, when Sims
casually remarks, “We’re moving again,” perhaps alluding to the cold reality
that life rolls onward.
“Moment of Impact” will be performed again at Blackfriars Theatre on Friday, September 26, at 7 p.m., and
Saturday, September 27, at 2 p.m. and 9 p.m. Tickets are $16, and the show is
recommended for ages 18 and up.
This article appears in Sep 24-30, 2014.
