The most immediate impression of Bird is the minimalism of the set. A young woman (Sita Pieraccini) is dressed in rags, lying on a patch of soil while cradling a long stick, the image aided by sounds such as the rustling of leaves, the crumbling of dirt or footsteps on different terrains that are made live by foley collaborator David Pollock. It may not seem like much, but this, along with Pieraccini’s incredible control of physicality and facial expressions, is enough to build an entire world on this nearly empty stage.
The story is simple: a young woman, or rather something closer to a childlike creature, is trying to survive in a post-apocalyptic world. When there is no-one left to talk to, the need for words disappears, and the simplicity of the woman’s thoughts and emotions radiates from her expression.
Pieraccini playfully mimics the creaking of her favourite tree, drawing joyful laughs from the audience. And when she manages to befriend a little bird, brought to life with mime and Pollock’s soundscaping, gasps are audible, as if the audience can truly see the little animal fearlessly perch on Pieraccini’s head, drawn in by her excitement. Her attitude shifts from survival to something more akin to truly living, looking out for that moment when her friend returns, bright little sparks of hope radiating from her expression.
With a story as simple as this, the ending becomes obvious quite early on. However, this doesn’t seem to matter, since the skilful expressiveness of the performance holds the attention. The focused silence is tangible as the story approaches its climax. The audience holds its collective breath as the final few emotions flicker across Pieraccini’s face, and hang heavy in the way she moves across the stage, beautifully punctuating the events.
As a theatrical piece, it is indeed simple, yet refreshingly so, and brings so much more than one might expect at first glance. Regardless of any of the events throughout, the lack of speech and Pieraccini’s focus and delight make the world seem just a little lighter. It is a joy to watch, and that joy remains even after emerging from the theatre.
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