Created and performed by Bronwyn Sims of Strong Coffee Stage Company, "Moment of Impact" is a strange, multimedia, one-woman show that explores how trauma experienced and tragedy witnessed can change the trajectory of a life. Inspired by real events, the story is told through the creative use of a sparse set, theater, dance, and aerial acrobatics. Though Sims is an entertaining performer, the work felt like a disjointed collection of interesting moments and observations.
The set consists of a two small benches, a suitcase, a spotlight facing the audience and off to one side, and a rope ladder, which at different times serves as train tracks or a building's scaffolding.
Sims plays a woman who is traveling to Yale Repertory Theater to provide a consultation for their production of Henrik Ibsen's "The Master Builder." Along the way, the train is delayed for hours after it hits a young man who has deliberately jumped in front of it. Sims plays multiple passengers who witness the event. To pass the time, she dramatically recites Ibsen in different ways -- including one silly recreation of the death scene using a draftsman's compass, a handkerchief, a tissue box, and a water bottle -- meditating on the moment of impact.
The show ends in a non-climatic, abrupt way, when Sims casually remarks, "We're moving again," perhaps alluding to the cold reality that life rolls onward.
"Moment of Impact" will be performed again at Blackfriars Theatre on Friday, September 26, at 7 p.m., and Saturday, September 27, at 2 p.m. and 9 p.m. Tickets are $16, and the show is recommended for ages 18 and up.
