Daughters of Sunset
Due to the global pandemic of COVID-19, MED Theatre decided that this would be an outdoor performance in September in the wonderful location of the Community Woodland Park at Bridford on the eastern edge of Dartmoor. The area is laid out especially for outdoor events and resembles a small version of the Minack Theatre in Cornwall with an arc of seating which lends itself easily to social distancing. In fact MED Theatre can be held up as the exemplars of how to put on an extremely well-marshalled Covid-compliant event with very well-organised measures which made for a safe and enjoyable experience in a relaxing and securely reassuring environment. The performance was also put on within the Exmoor National Park a few nights later and quite rightly so, as it brought the two national parks together within its weave of myths, legends and ethereal story-telling. Their performances are always well attended and this was no exception with a sell-out first night.
Just when you thought that a MED production couldn’t get any better following their brilliant online performance of “The Murder of Nicholas Radford” in March this year, Daughters of Sunset appears and again it takes centre stage! Again and again MED excel themselves and this outdoor, evening play followed suit. They really pushed the boundaries and this time took a step away from actual historical events involving people and places of Dartmoor’s rich history and took you into a world of matriarchal domination with a cast which was mainly, but not exclusively, female. The subject had the possibility of being quite challenging but it was really lively, well balanced and spell-binding as the story unfolded.
In this enchanting tale, told through movement, drama and brilliantly composed music, MED Theatre explored the possibility of matriarchy on Exmoor and Dartmoor and how the interruption of a stranger to normal life might impact the nurturing political landscape created by the two queens of the moors – Dart and Eske, who looked to their goddesses for forgiveness for the wrongs done ages ago.
This was a performance which relied upon mythical legend and was robustly researched and incredibly powerful right from the first moment of the opening scene. With legendary characters, mythical figures and spirits and a cast covering both Dartmoor as well as Exmoor, the land and sea, this was a fast moving and mesmerising production. The large–scale puppetry mystical Whale could give ‘Warhorse’ and the ‘Lion King’ a run for it’s money! The venue for this particular event was so appropriate and to me it felt like being in a performance at Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre with the audience on the sides of the performing area.
It was lovely to again see the age range of the cast cross several generations with wonderful richness of, at times, very complex, language of the period of mythology. Thank goodness for a bright, dry and crisp evening, with the second half enhanced by starlight and excellent lighting.
MED Theatre has been engaging people in original drama inspired by local history, ecology, and current issues relevant to Dartmoor and Devon for over three decades. The story is a real treat and, although maybe a step away from a traditional comfort zone, the cast young and old rose to the challenge superbly. The company has evolved from a tradition of original community plays using local performers, composers, musicians, set designers, costume makers, choreographers back stage technicians and writers. The MED theatre productions are inspired by Dartmoor’s industrial history, myths & legends, striking topography and distinctive ecology combined with the contemporary social challenges faced by residents of the national park. As well as providing thought-provoking entertainment to audiences (made up of both local residents and visitors), the plays dramatise serious social, scientific and environmental issues relevant to Dartmoor and aim to promote the area's distinctiveness through its culture and its people.
The whole cast and team are to be congratulated for another excellent evening’s entertainment, education and enlightenment, and this reviewer, for one, is looking forward to their next production as always!
You can watch Daughters of Sunset online for £5 - for details go to https://www.medtheatre.co.uk/projects/daughters-of-sunset-2020
Tickets are now also on sale for the next MED performance at https://www.medtheatre.co.uk/projects/thehardings
FURROWS OF WAR
PERFORMANCES 2.30PM AND 7.30PM – 28TH NOVEMBER
A new play about life in Devon during the Second World War, set on Dartmoor and created, written and performed by MED Theatre’s Young Company. Based on research into events in the area at the time, the play deals with the changing roles of men and women occasioned by the war-time emergency and contrasts the local with the international picture.