Choreographed by Aakash Odedra and Lewis Major, Little Murmur at the Sydney Opera House is a sensory feast of projections, dance and sound. Aimed at younger audiences, the performance reflects on Odedra’s life growing up with dyslexia. Having been diagnosed at a young age, he struggled in school and misspelled his own name until he was 21.
It was only once he had “found his missing ‘A’” that he felt he belonged, a theme that emerges throughout the performance. We see dancer Subhash Viman Gorania stumble over his words as he moves about the stage. Projections of birds appear on a screen made of hanging cloth, and as the performer begins to interact with them, an awed young voice can be heard whispering, “He has powers.”
This sense of awe increases as the fans which encircle Gorania switch on and he begins dancing within the billowing fabric. There is a feeling of becoming overwhelmed, consumed and this sensation amplifies as paper begins to cascade from the ceiling, faster than he is able to clean it up. There is frustration and desperation in his actions. At times, he appears lost.
There were moments of humour, and yet I did not laugh. The children around me found delight in watching the performer scramble about the floor as paper flew all around him, as was the intention, but I couldn’t. As he realises he has lost his ‘A’ and begins to search frantically for it, I felt concern and sadness. So often with performances it is clear what emotions the creator wants to evoke from their audience – in this instance, I had no idea. But perhaps that was the point.
As someone who does not have dyslexia I was fascinated to be afforded such an insight. It was a visually stunning and intensely visceral performance. It provided a glimpse into a world that, for those who have dyslexia, is hard to process and understand.
Little Murmur is an honest exploration of the struggles experienced by people living with dyslexia. It has the ability to help create a greater understanding for those who have it, while equally making them feel seen.
THREE AND A HALF STARS (OUT OF FIVE)
Little Murmur is an Aakash Odedra Company, Lewis Major Projects and Spark Arts for Children production, performed at the Sydney Opera House 9 and 10 August 2024.
For more information on upcoming shows head to the Aakash Odedra Company website.
Reviewer attended on 9 August 2024.
Future performance dates in Australia:
17 – 18 Aug 2024
Darwin Festival, Darwin
21 – 24 Aug 2024
Adelaide Festival Centre, Adelaide
Header image credit: Jacquie Manning
