Plymouth Theatre Review

Title: ‘Windchimes’

Venue: The House, Main Stage

Date: 28th May 2024

Overall Rating: 5

‘Windchimes’ written, directed and performed by Christopher Smith is a clever and well-written one-man show that takes the audience on an emotional journey through the depths of grief and family dynamics. The poignant and touching narrative centres on a character grappling with the loss of his mother and is crafted with a depth and sensitivity that leaves a lasting impression on viewers. 

The set is minimalistic in nature, consisting of a simple single bed, some hanging wind chimes and a handful of key props. Despite the simplicity of this set up, the stage never feels empty or underwhelming, due in a large part to the fantastic acting and dedication shown in this performance by the performer. Smith’s exceptional acting and writing takes the forefront in this show, displaying his adeptness at character portrayal and highlighting his ability to convey complex emotions and characters with ease, finesse, subtly and precision. The bed serves as a versatile prop, its inclusion on the stage goes far in representing the location and states of mind of the main protagonist, while the wind chimes add a unique and nuanced auditory dimension to the performance and response to the action. 

One of the standout elements of ‘Windchimes’ is the clever and poignant writing. The wind chimes are included in the narrative and ingeniously incorporated into the story as a character presence on the stage. This adds a depth to the journey and symbolises the unseen forces within the protagonists life and within the narrative itself. This innovative use of sound is a testament to Smith’s skill as both a writer and performer, with interactions between Smith and the wind chimes coming across as authentic and natural. It is a skill in itself to make talking to an inanimate object both look and feel real to a spectator and Smith does this with ease. Smith’s acting skills are nothing short of extraordinary, his ability to convey a wide range of emotion and portray an array of different characters with distinction is truly impressive. The chiming of the wind chimes became a form of dialogue it’s own right and the conversation with the wind chimes throughout crafted its own language. Although wind chimes do not speak in a literal sense, the clever design allowed the spectator to ascribe meaning to their sounds which created a unique and personal experience for each member of the audience. After a while it feels as though the audience understand what the wind chimes are saying. This auditory element enchants the emotional impact of the show, drawing the viewer further into the protagonists inner world and allowing the spectator their own creative agency and interpretation of the dialogue. The story itself is profoundly moving and well-crafted. Smith’s portrayal of grief is both poignant and relatable, making it easy to relate and connect with the characters journey. The dialogue is authentic and realistic, capturing the rawness of emotion and complexity of the relationships we see play out on the stage. The fast paced nature of the performance ensures that viewers remain engaged and invested throughout.

Another standout element of this show, is Smith’s exceptional acting skills and dedication to his craft. Throughout the performance, he seamlessly transitions between various characters including a father and therapist with such finesse that each character becomes instantly recognisable in the latter parts of the show, without the need for any change of costume or props to signify which character he is playing. Each character he portrays is so well defined and distinct in nature that there is no need for obvious cues that the character has switched. The nuanced changes in his performance were enough to make each character distinct and recognisable which showcased his versatility and talent as a performer.

‘Windchimes’ is a strong and powerful example of solo performance. Smith’s extraordinary talent as an actor, coupled with his detailed and authentic writing makes this show a standout performance of the festival. The authentic portrayal of grief and family dynamics, the minimalistic yet effective set and the multifaceted characters all contribute to making this show an  unforgettable theatrical experience. This performance exemplifies the best of what solo performance can achieve. Smith’s perfect bend of powerful storytelling and dynamic portrayal of multi characters, invites the audience on a universally resonate exploration of loss and healing. The innovative use of wind chimes as a metaphorical voice and the minimalistic set serve to amplify the emotional crux of the narrative and show that even the simplest of settings can evoke profound responses when coupled with exceptional talent. A Five star performance, without a doubt!