Activate, Pollinate, Liberate
Hive City Legacy — Part 2 (July 2019)
I haven’t seen a show twice, so I was wondering if the show would be similar to last year’s production or if there would be noticeable differences. In this case, this production was different, which meant I didn’t have to rely too heavily on my memory.
The show opened in a similar way to last years production, where the protagonist (Farrell) curiosity was a segway for several conversations that the femmes engaged in via breakouts . But the content of the breakouts was different, with more femmes participating in this area, which resulted in more dialogue throughout the show.
One breakout focused on the theme of migration, where Elsabet explored how one could lose their sense of self, the longer one remains in a foreign country — despite learning a foreign language and the way of life in this destination country, questioning if a foreign country could ever really be a place you could call home?
Another breakout was similar to the performance last year, where Dorcas described an uncomfortable experience as a Black woman, on one of the most cramped forms of public transport in London — the tube. Dorcas used clever wordplay to paint a picture of how unwanted attention in the form of staring, could be linked to themes of othering, entitlement and the lack of understanding of personal boundaries This breakout really resonated with me, as I’ve found myself in these uncomfortable situations many a time on the tube. The staring just goes on to the point where I feel so uncomfortable, it’s awkward. And I don’t understand why the person who is staring doesn’t think about how this act can make another person feel so uncomfortable.
Other breakouts included a music performance by Koko, which emphasised that it’s okay to not be okay — which I believe links to the ongoing discussion about mental health and understanding our capacity as we juggle life.
Collaboration as a theme featured throughout the show as the femmes performed songs and dance routines between the breakouts.
This collaboration was also highlighted by the inquisitive protagonist (Farrell), who initially appeared quite separate to the rest of the show, but became more embedded within the hive as the show progressed. The impressive rope work by Rebecca and Farrell was just one of the beautiful examples that demonstrated this.
Again, the show ended with the audience being invited on the stage for a mini rave — which was one of my fave things about this show. After another successful run, I would suggest keeping your eyes peeled for upcoming Hot Brown Honey productions!
Show Highlights
- Randomly sitting next to Busty Beatz — who was lovely!
Make sure you follow these femmes on socials:
