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written and directed by Melisse Watson

We Are Knot Rivals, Toronto Fringe Festival, Robert Gill Theatre, Toronto

July 2-12, 2014

Writer/performer Melisse Watson's autobiographical dance piece tells of how she was born white and adopted but later manifested her mixed black and Cherokee ancestry as she grew up.  We understand Watson's confusion but she never explores her adoptive parents' point of view.  

The spoken word soundtrack consisting of Watson's interviews with her birth mother and Watson's poetry is distracting since the words seldom correspond with Salé Almirante’s graceful, often acrobatic choreography.  The short sections danced only to the beat of onstage drummers Rio Runakanta, Amai Kuda and Y Josephine are so powerful one wishes they had set the model for the whole show.  Watson’s movement itself beautifully expresses her transformation from confusion to anger to acceptance.  Benjamin Aaron Jaarsma and Corrie Sakaluk are also impressive for their poise and physical versatility

              

©Christopher Hoile

Note: A version of this review appeared in NOW Magazine 2014-07-10.

Photo: Melisse Watson.  ©2014 Alejandra Higuera.

For tickets, visit http://fringetoronto.com.