Live and in person at Tarragon Extra Space. Toronto, Ont. A Tarragon Theatre Production in association with Nightswimming. Running until Feb. 23, 2025.
Co-creators and co-directors, Martin Julien and Brian Quirt
Associate Artist, Thom Allison
Set and Lighting by Rebecca Picherack
Cast: Neema Bickersteth
Jane Miller
Taurian Teelucksingh
The Tarragon program is clear in explaining the initially odd title and point of the show: The Wolf in the Voice. “The term ‘wolf in the voice’ was “discovered by Brian Quirt (a co-creator and co-director of the piece with Martin Julien) in an Icelandic crime novel, as a vivid description for that vocal ‘break’ between the chest voice and the head voice, most notable in men, but existing in every vocal instrument. This infamous, mysterious, and contested in-between territory is a place of vulnerability and transition. A trio is the smallest possible ensemble, a vulnerable assemblage of individuals prone to constant social transition and negotiation, demonstrating a constant jockeying of this in-between territory. That is the ‘wolf’ we have been investigating with joy and curiosity and a lot of singing…..The Wolf in the Voice is part of a long-term commitment Nightswimming has made to exploring our relationship to singing and the human voice. ….our process mined scientific research, the physical mechanics of singing, and stories about navigating our vocal insecurities. The Wolf in the Voice has also explored a wide range of music repertoire as we sought ways to invite audiences into the hidden world of singers’ anxieties and in doing so consider their own vulnerable places.”
From the Tarragon website: “From Nightswimming (These Are The Songs I Sing When I’m Sad, Tarragon Greenhouse Festival) comes a trio about trios. Join Neema Bickersteth, Jane Miller and Taurian Teelucksingh for an intimate and uplifting evening as they swap stories and songs about their struggles and triumphs as singers, and the mystery of The Wolf in the Voice.”
NOTE: Nightswimming is a theatre company that does intense dramaturgical work with various artists as they create their shows.
As the audience files into the Tarragon Extra Space, three singers are: Neema Bickersteth, Jane Miller and Taurian Teelucksingh are grouped around a keyboard on stage as they harmonize in variations. There are three round tables upstage full of stuff the singers will need to get through a session; nasal aids, honey, oil of oregano, Lays potato chips etc. There is a formation of uniform shapes painted on the stage floor.
When the houselights dim and the show begins, there is more beautiful vocalizing; a perky rendition of “Three Little Maids” and some personal information about all three singers. Interestingly the singer didn’t tell us their story; the others told the story. I didn’t know why the initial information came from the other singers and not the one being talked about, since later in the show each singer did talk about their disappointments, hardships and joyful discovery.
There is a very detailed description of how the vocal folds (not chords, now it’s vocal folds) work. The audience is invited to feel their throat and experience the vibration of the vocal folds and even participate in some singing. There is a demonstration of the ‘head’ voice, the ‘chest’ voice and the ‘bridge’ between them. Sometimes the bridge is clear and sometimes not.
There is a clever bit when each singer steps on one of the uniform shapes on the floor, and sings a note. Ah, the shapes are piano keys and the group has fun and takes turns stepping on the keys, singing the note of the key and the combination forms a tune. It’s always clever—even though I’ve seen this bit of business before.
The three singers are accomplished in their own right. Neema Bickersteth (Treemonisha) was steered into opera but didn’t have the high notes, but found them eventually. Jane Miller has done shows that are quirky and inventive, These Are The Songs I Sing When I’m Sad. Taurian Teelucksingh has performed at the Shaw Festival, especially playing a wonderful Freddie Einsford-Hill in My Fair Lady.
The most moving aspects of the show are when each singer expresses their inner thoughts on the gift of the voice and singing; or the horror when the voice changed and let them down. The most successful aspects of the show is when they all sang together—no gimmicks, not description of the innerworkings of whatever, just pure singing with heartfelt interpretation.
We are told that the co-creators, Martin Julien and Brian Quirt guided the trio to go into ‘uncomfortable’ territory to sing, into an area that is challenging. Ok, but the result is beautiful. The minutiae of how they got there, somehow seems irrelevant in the face of the result, at least from the audience. It was interesting to have each singer explain what items they need to get them through. Jane Miller swears by Oil of Oregano to keep her cold-free. Neena Bickersteth always has among other things: honey and salt (I think salt needs an explanation). Taurian Teelucksingh has many and various items including something he uses but didn’t explain, and Lays Potato Chips—they are Canadian.
The Wolf In The Voice is a well-intentioned show that wants to show the audience the innerworkings-mysteries of how the voice works, the details of the various voices and the esoterica of singing. More than once during the show I asked myself: “Why?” “Why are we in the room watching this very insider information? This will be interesting to other singers and their vocal teachers, but the rest of the audience? Hmmmm.
The show explores the insecurities and anxieties of singers to create their art. The Programme says the show invites the audience to also consider “their own vulnerable places.” Truth to tell you can’t dictate that wish. Audiences will recognize their own insecurities or not from a show. Each person regards a show in their own way, personal or otherwise. I was glad of the beautiful harmonic singing.
A Tarragon Theatre Production in association with Nightswimming present:
Plays until Feb. 23, 2025.
Running time: 80 minutes (no intermission)
www.tarragontheatre.com
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