Remnants at the Print Room at the Coronet

Remnants is a theatre production that works to explore the meaning of memory and loss, doing so in a haunting way. Each element is crafted together to evoke a sense of heartbreak and pain. The backbone of this performance is an interview conducted with Courtney Angela Brkic about her time in 1996 being part of a forensic team in Bosnia and Herzegovina after the mass execution by the Serbian forces the year before. From this narrative songs were developed and partnered with dance to create a visually stunning piece. Each movement is executed with a precision and purpose that perfectly matches the words of the interview.

In the centre of the stage there is a dip, where clothes of the deceased whom Brkic is talking about are, which throughout the performance gets filled with water from a tank seen creating a simple yet striking metaphor. Through lighting, the water pattern is also reflected on the screen at the back of the set, working beautifully with the piece. The addition of photographs and clothing grounds the narrative in reality and emphasises the fact that the story we are being told is real, and the sadness that these people experienced is part of their lives; they allow us to see the emotion while hearing the stories told by Brkic.  

The songs are incredible, powerful cries that capture the true essence of the narrative. Even though they are not performed in English the sentiment is still so rich and evocative. The words that are delivered in English stick in the audience’s minds making them even more effective. The simple repetition of “I love you”, sung when the interviewee is telling the story of a woman who believes that every cold call is her dead son phoning to tell her he’s coming home, is such a poignant scene. While Remnants is not an easy watch it is emotional in the way any great theatre piece is, and is an extraordinarily moving experience.

Manisha Sondhi

Remnants is at the Print Room in the Coronet from 12^th June until 1^st July, for further information or to book visit here.

Watch the trailer for Remnants here: