I started writing something about reviews…. about that Patrick Jones quote in the show…. about heartfelt reaction and intellectual responses…. about making this performance… about encouraging response and then reeling from the dismissive. The intention was to question the validity of it all. However I decided to just share these snippets and links to full reviews and wondered what you might make of it all.
SMASH IT UP – Critical Feedback
“The beauty of Smash It Up is that it makes you wake up and think and calls you to action without ever telling you what to think or do. Exploring the destruction of art as a loss, a protest and to spawn creation, this highly intelligent piece (which even gives you a reading list in the programme) does not force a message on you. Instead, it leaves you asking yourself “what will I do?” and will definitely leave you with a feeling of wanting to do something. Truly inspirational.” Jacqui Onions, Reviews Hub
Full Review – http://www.thereviewshub.com/smash-it-up-chapter-arts-centre-cardiff/
“I loved the movement of this piece, I loved the structure and the strength, and I appreciated the incorporation of different mediums to show how deeply entrenched the response was- not momentary, or glimpsing, but a heartfelt response- utilising different forms of protest. To be heard. To provoke reaction.” – An Organised Mess, Blog.
Full review – http://anorganisedmess.com/theatre/smash-mr-mrs-clark/
“This is a controversial piece that will get your heart pumping and your mind racing. Their references, contextual aspects and their use of worldwide history was what made this show stand out, not only making it regionally political, but worldwide. This show reminded us that art and the art of creation are the most important things this world has to offer. “Without art there is no community”.” Kaitlin Wray, Young Critics.
“What followed was an undeniably discomforting performance that made us jump, sit at the edge of our seats and most importantly, engage. I am an incontestable theatre geek, which means I have grown used to theatre that entertains vacantly as I sit and simply watch. Smash It Up demanded self-reflection, rather than visual gratification, using different creative mediums to craft a masterpiece of epic theatre that would impress even Brecht himself.” Chairwomanmeow, Blog
Full Review – https://chairwomanmeow.wordpress.com/2016/02/27/siu/
“Passionate, intelligent, poignant. Perfectly timed…. And extraordinary things occur when a power tool meets an electric guitar” Marion Cheung, Blog
http://marioncheung.blogspot.co.uk/2016/02/smash-it-up-review.html
“Afterwards in the bar, strangers chat and feel empowered. Artists are remembered and misquoted. We want to change the world. We want to protect our right to art. It has been a brilliant, energising and entertaining production. It should be compulsory viewing.” Helen Joy 3rd Act Critics.
Full Review https://3rdactcritics.wordpress.com/2016/02/21/review-mr-mrs-clark-smash-it-up-by-helen-joy/
“The performance was engaging and enthralling. Through dance, movement, spoken word (often angry and loud), documentary, you were taken through the process of their street activities. The intent was to highlight the loss of art and public space. You were also presented with some difficult personal stories from the artist’s own lives. That, I feel made the whole experience somehow more personal.” Deirdre Bennett Artist Blog.
“Their open and in your face opinion and protest to the state of art leaves you not only thinking but also rooting for them if you weren’t already involved In the conversation. Flying the flag for Wales – The Clarks have easily conquered London.” Hannah Goslin, Get The Chance Wales
Full Review http://getthechance.wales/2016/05/22/review-smash-mr-mrs-clark-battersea-arts-centre-hannah-goslin/
“Exhilarating, vital and probing show.” Adam Somerset, Theatre Wales
Full Review – http://www.theatre-wales.co.uk/reviews/reviews_details.asp?reviewID=3507
4 star review The Sprout, Full review –
http://www.thesprout.co.uk/en/news/review-mr-ant-up-chapter/19664.html
“…little More than self indulgent” Jane Oriel, Wales Arts Review
Full Review http://www.walesartsreview.org/multimedia-smash-it-up/
Gareth