Finalemente!

Apologies for the delay in update of the final performance; packing up and the several goodbyes kept us busy and away from all technological gear. Allow me to rewind to the afternoon of November 30.

Mr Technician fixing lights

We arrived at Shanti Niketan at 2pm. The school was empty. No children around, the lights were up, the stage was set and the checklist seemed well-checked. The lights were tested the previous evening; it was time to test the sound. Everything seemed fine, but five years of experience with technological breakdowns in the Goa shows had us ready to face all sorts of last-minute catastrophes. (2 of the 3 CD players did not end up working in the first performance and the technician was seen balancing on his toes and stretching his hands out over the sound mixer to hold on to a loose wire. Erica, in the meanwhile, was sharpening her chopper to slice the technician’s head off. And while all this drama was taking place, Sonia promptly replaced their players with our laptops and the audience hadn’t a clue of the balancing act backstage.)

Erica and Sonia, content with the sound check. (Least did they know!)

Rewinding back to 4pm. The children trickled in very excited to see their school transformed into a performance arena with lights, amplifiers and the works. Least did they know that they, too, would be soon transformed sporting colourful costumes and make-up. 6:30pm. The entrance of the school was overcrowded with an eager audience who engaged themselves at the photo installation of the Chimbel photography workshop. Meanwhile, the little actors took their positions. 7pm. We began.

The photo installation of the Chimbel photography workshop

 

Ninga and Solomon, opening the show with their act on stilts.

 

In the shadows of the dark

 

Playing between light and shadow

 

A balance of sorts

 

Sameness...in balance...imbalance.

 

Sangeeta -- holding on and letting go.

 

Winged freedom.

 

The crazy spinners.

 

The Balancing Act - FOR REAL!

It’s hard to express the many emotions that are running through us right now. Bags are packed, the goodbyes have begun and we’re ready to close this year’s project. We thank everyone at El Shaddai for supporting our every whim, a big big thank you to the Association of Mercurio di Riva del Garda where Sonia and Diego work, the Province of Trento who fund a big part of the project and all those who have made this beautiful dream possible.

The hardest part is to say goodbye to the children. But the best part is to know that they’ll be with us wherever we go, forever. Grazie! Shukriya! And dear Goa…thanks for all the fish.

LABORATORY OF SMILES 2010

 

Advertisement