Lay Down Your Burdens

Beautiful. Raw. Captivating. Those are the few words I’d use to describe the essence of Lay Down Your Burdens. After premiering in 2023 at the Barbican, London and Harlow Playhouse, Lay Down Your Burdens embarked on a tour, carrying the baggage of the characters nationwide. Rhiannon Faith, the artistic director and choreographer explains that: “It’s a reflection of what It means to support each other, to hold space for one another’s pain, and to come together through vulnerability” a statement that echoes the show's sentiment very well.

Set up on the stage of Norwich Theatre Royal was an ever so intimate pub. Placed around the bar of said pub were tables and chairs for patrons - also known as the audience - to sit and mingle like they would their local. And amongst the edges were more rows of chairs for those who didn’t manage to bag a table during the pub's busy period. At first glance, I was intimidated by the prospect of being so up close and personal with the cast - it felt like…Well, it felt like I was at an actual pub. One where I might vent to friends after a particularly hard day at work or an argument with a partner. Essentially, the scene was set for us long before we arrived, especially with the cast interacting with you in character as you found a seat to perch on. As such, relationships were meagerly built through brief introductions which helped the audience sympathise with the characters just a touch more. It was personable, familiar.

The show starts with an introduction to each character, like Sarah, the pub landlady who comforted other characters as they expressed their own burdens. Sarah also made sure she warmly glanced into the eyes of the audience members as she asked them personal questions about their conflicts in life. It was comforting watching her interact, she didn’t feel like a character, but an acquaintance, which speaks volumes on her performance. There were other characters like Donny and Shirley who dealt with the burden of trauma, Sam who navigated his feelings brought forth by his neglectful father, Fin who felt weighed down by the pressures of life and her own mind, and Dick who was dealing with the grief of family life. Each experience and story was so individual, you find yourself in at least one character, their experiences evoking deep feelings and tears.

Whilst I didn’t participate in the crowd interaction, there were moments so joyous that I couldn’t help but grin. If it wasn’t Sarah and Dick dressed in an uncanny Dolly Parton costume, belting their heart out in blonde wigs, then it was the cast incorporating the audience into the fun, ensuring that anyone who got involved in the story were comfortable or having a blast, especially in the multiple karaoke sessions and pub games. In those moments, we were friends, not patrons nor participants.

And when there were no lyrics or words to be conveyed, the articulate performance by the energetic actors exuded enough poignant and soul stirring feelings that few words were needed. Their high kicks, pirouettes, and spine bending lifts entranced you into their touching dances. The strength and agility found in the choreography was admirable.

Each element put into this show was done with intention, one of which made for a heartfelt dance theatre show.