By Fahdia Msaka
Not Falling is a two-woman dance piece by Lilitha Tsetsana and Bethany McLachlan-Evans. The story, written and directed by Juliette Rose-Innes, redefines the conventions associated with what we know as ‘happily ever after’.
Choreographed by Amber Morgan, the production follows the relationship between two women and the challenges they face, inevitably bringing them together.
Although the audience was small, the sincerity in the room resonated. The themes of queer relationship dynamics, medical malpractice, disability, and escaping generational trauma feel particularly relevant to a 21st century audience.
Our protagonist, Maddie (McLachlan-Evans), starts as a carefree character, but we later learn about the mountain of baggage she’s kept hidden. Her girlfriend, Alexis (Tsetsana), soon becomes her primary means of support following Maddie’s diagnosis with the same degenerative disease as her mother.
Interestingly, Tsetsana also takes on the role of Maddie’s mother and doctor. Tsetsana transitions well between the characters she inhabits and McLachlan-Evans executes the choreography with ease.
The theme that particularly struck me is the dynamic of Maddie and Alexis’ relationship. Following their meeting in a club, the two quickly become unhealthily entangled in each other’s lives and morph into the centre of their universe.
Additionally, the character of Maddie’s doctor stands out. Her greed for recognition, at the expense of another’s well-being, is all too familiar.
What follows is a complicated push and pull between rationality and instability, illness and health, responsibility and burden, holding and not falling.
The production is also inherently feminist. It is written, directed, performed and characterised by women. Altogether, Not Falling is a story that’s brought to full embodiment on stage, keeping the audience engaged from beginning to end.
Not Falling is on at Glennie Hall on 23, 24, 25 and 27 July.
