I’m a Phoenix, Bitch is a show about finding ways to cope, survive and reinventing oneself after trauma in a venue that has been reconstructed after a huge fire has destroyed its main hall, and yes, it is as epic as it sounds.
Bryony Kimmings is close to the stuff of legends for me. Having never seen her shows before, but having heard great things about them and the way they are developed, I almost worried about how I’d take in this show, which is her return to stage after a long two year break. Great expectations frequently lead to great disappointments, but this show, fully exceeded what I could have expected.
A brave and ambitious retelling of traumatic, autobiographical life events, in the first person! The show tells the (extremely personal) events of the artist’s life, through innovative ways, using sets, video and sound with new and surprising approaches and sees her embody the different personas she has been throughout her life. The show goes from light to dark as the life events being portrayed seem to be out of control and reach depths of despair that appear to be irreversible. Emotions are extreme, but hope returns in a story about finding one’s inner strength.
Both the show and the rise to life of Battersea Arts Centre will leave the audience believing that you can build back up from the most shattering levels of destruction in an evening that will have you feel hopeful again.
I’m a Phoenix Bitch is at the Battersea Arts Centre until 20th October. For tickets and more information click here.