ruins أطلال
“It’s quite rare that I watch a piece of independent theatre and leave pondering its beauty, but Ruins is exactly that. Beautiful.”
“Directed with clarity and compassion, Ruins travels to lofty places with the simplest of theatrical techniques and excellent storytelling skills.”
“★★★★”
Cultural Binge, Chad Armstrong READ MORE
“Conceptualised and directed by the formidable duo of Emily Ayoub and Madeline Baghurst, Ruins أطلال initiates an exploration into that duality of being both and in-between, of containing contradictions and finding harmony whilst acknowledging, all the troublesome incoherence resulting from inhabiting an identity that is not just one thing.”
“The show is beautiful at every juncture, with incredible configurations of bodies in space, illuminated exquisitely by Frankie Clarke, and with Johnny Yang’s music gently stirring in the background.”
SUZY GOES SEE, Suzy Wrong READ MORE
“You get to see the actors in the heat of battle, the sweat beading on their foreheads, you see the endless hours of blocking manifest themselves in beautifully crisp staging.”
“…the city of Baalbek has ebbed and flowed for the last eleven thousand years. It is difficult for us in Australia to wrap our heads around the scale of this cultural timeline. It has been home to Phoenicians, Greeks, Romans, and Mongols. It is not only pre-biblical; it is pre-historical. Productions like Ruins give us a taste of the mythology, the culture and stories that have travelled here and which continue to take root and proliferate.”
“It is a considerable achievement to have swept us away to Lebanon, to have made us laugh and cry, and to have made us think, all in such an intimate space…”
Theatre Thoughts, Billy Chapman READ MORE
“it’s a stunningly beautiful work of visual metaphor. A door dances about the stage, a potent symbol both of entrances to new worlds and barriers to those lost. A tray becomes a mirror and, looking at herself, the woman sees the past to which she is intrinsically linked.”
“Ayoub’s performance powerfully expresses the complex joys and pains of love and loss.”
“This splendid meditation on connection and loss is both evocative and provocative.”
Theatre Red, Paul Gilchrist READ MORE
“A riveting piece of physical, emotional theatre … is rich in theatrical treasures that unearth emotions and warmth buried recently or long ago… ensure we are touched by this small work’s huge humanity.”
“We are instantly lulled by the short play’s huge lyricism, stunning performances and direction enabling us to view contemporary freelings on site at an ancient world.”
“The storytelling here is sophisticated, elaborate, visually stunning and delivered in slick swathes. Use of props from a door to fabric as quickly morphing set structure moments is expert and fresh.”
Sydney Arts Guide, Paul Nolan READ MORE
“This beautiful story of an Australian mum visiting her ancestral home in Lebanon and digging in ancient ruins for her roots is so artfully told, it leaves you wanting more.”
“Emily Ayoub, who created and directed Ruins with Madeline Baghurst, is thoroughly engaging as the curious Amelia as is Tony Poli playing her father. Both central performers are perfectly nuanced and authentic”
“This sort of physical theatre is typical of Sydney’s Clockfire Theatre but Ruins adds a full thoughtful and witty script. What their kinetic fluidity allows us, with added projections (Laura Turner) and lighting shifts (Frankie Clarke), is to be lead seamlessly and without confusion across periods of time…”
Stage Whispers, Martin Portus READ MORE
“Alongside Emily Ayoub's portrayal of Amelia, and Tony Poli’s strong performance as the wholesome, watchful parent, ensemble members Adam Al Kuneli, Piumi Wijesundara and Madeline Baghurst wrapped the show into a tight bow, which make you feel as if you were watching a outstanding choreographed dance, where everyone flowed around each other succinctly.”
“On top of the physical performance, the show was framed wonderfully through sound and light. Johnny Yang’s composition of both prerecorded and live played composition added astounding depth to the show, and flautist Jessica Scott uplifted Yang’s vision powerfully.”
“A personal favourite for me was the projection design by Laura Turner, which connected both the Ancient and Modern world, making memory more powerful, and adding emotional emphasis to the audience.”
The Young Syd Review, Lulu READ MORE