‘Nightbird’ was a season of new work composed of eight pieces commissioned by Duckie producer Simon Casson from eight contemporary artists. They were to be a series of spontaneous, playful happenings taking place in non-theatre venues across London. The press release began by claiming the exercise to be a ‘live art laboratory exploring the potential of new theatrical interventions.’ A tautological claim which put me immediately on my guard, the sceptic in me raising an eyebrow at yet another promise of creative novelty amid the clamour of publicity and arts marketing throughout the capital.
It would be true to say that the season would tread a path from conceptual art through to entertainment. I was wary – these claims leaping from the pages of the press release could turn out to be another case of the emperor parading in his birthday suit.
And then I was dis-heartened – each piece was to be ‘disposable’ like the pop culture it is born out of’. I’m tired of pop culture being the hook that creativity hangs its hat on these days; it’s simply a way of dodging commitment to the belief that an idea will work or even that it has the capacity to transform. The inherent irony in this statement is also a cop-out for the product and the audience. It is allowing itself not to be taken too seriously and the audience not to engage. However as a fan of Duckie’s work to date I felt torn and so banished my grumpy alter-ego to a dark corner and cheerfully stepped out to various obscure venues to discover ‘Nightbird’ for myself…..(Contd)
…The treat of the ‘Nightbird’ season was Fragrant at St Peter’s Church, a flower arranging demonstration given by two women who actually are flower arrangers. I had initially suspected a parody but this was the real thing. Gillain Poulain is Area Demonstrator for the National Association of Flower Arrangement Societies and both she and Margaret Canavan are members of the Woodford Flower Club, City Creations and Capel Designers.
On the theme of ‘Dreams Come True’ they created six arrangements, works of art in their own right, whilst relating anecdotal pearls about their husbands, children and holidays and giving tips on which flowers to use where: ‘If you feel in doubt, I say, leave it out; but if you want to win, stick it in’. Even the thorny issue of politics reared its head. ‘I always said I wouldn’t buy Colombia carnations, but sometimes our principals go by the wayside don’t they?’
Both women were brilliant speakers, natural entertainers with a real gift for timing, honesty and superb delivery – Alan Bennett couldn’t have written better. Fragrant opened new doors onto ways of seeing, be it theatre or, more poignantly, our own personal experience. Bradley gave space and time to lives well lived and in so doing raised them above the everyday. It would be good to see this kind of work progress further not to have it exist as or sold as interesting experiment that came and went as disposable tat. Duckie’s ‘Nightbird’ season was an experiment to be proud of with thought and integrity at its core – I hope there will be more to come.
Anne Louise Rentell