What's On

Fringe Review: Blood, Sex, Tears

An audio tapestry of Fringe-goers who have recorded 30 second snippets of memories and stories to do with the topics of blood, sex or tears.

Presented by The Grand Caravan
Reviewed 14 & 19 February 2016

Blood, Sex, Tears is a surprising audio installation connecting the hopes, fears, dreams and memories of strangers. In an era of increasing segregation between communities and ethnicities into pockets of “them and us”, it creates a profound realisation that, deep down, we are all the same.

Beginning with The Recording last week, Adelaide Fringe punters were invited to step into The Grand Caravan, located at the rear of Gluttony. With absolute privacy, they were asked to choose one of the three title topics and record themselves for just 30 seconds. Their words, thoughts or stories were then interwoven into an audio tapestry that is both curious and comical.

Some thoughts are personal, some revealing, and others abstract, but listening to the verbal soundscape that was subsequently created by Melbourne artists Dan Goronszy and Sharyn Brand, it soon becomes clear how much we all have in common. Our own minds connect with those of the speakers and we find ourselves responding to triggers with our own recollections.

Running at about 15 minutes, the audience grabs a complementary cuppa, closes their eyes and lets the words wash over them. It’s both mesmerizing and affirming to hear so many voices sharing common experiences and easily relatable emotions.

Regardless of the topic, accent, mood or tone, there’s a universal humanity that embodies this work and, whether intentional or not, it connects us all.

As a work in progress, Blood, Sex, Tears will offer one additional recording session on Wednesday 24 February which will then be interwoven into the existing final product.

Get along and be a part of something extraordinary.

Reviewed by Rod Lewis
Twitter: @StrtegicRetweet

Rating (out of 5):  4

Venue: The Grand Caravan, Gluttony, Rymill Park, cnr East Tce & Rundle Rd, Adelaide
Season: until 6 March 2016
Duration: 15-60 minutes
Tickets: The Voicing: Free. The Listening: $8.50 – $10
Bookings: Book through FringeTix online or at a FringeTix box office (booking fees apply)

More News

To Top