Words: Rosie Hall
Image: Lucas Chih Peng Kao

4 stars

Storyteller Janis Mackay and poet and dancer Nada Shawa are dancing as soon as
the doors open to the theatre. Slightly embarrassed and perhaps feeling like they
have committed some kind of faux pas, the audience (myself included) rush
sheepishly to their seats, as if they are late. But they are not late, and this is not a
mistake: their dance is indicative of the conversational, continuous nature of Shawa
and Mackay’s work.

Mending Nets is a collaborative piece by Scottish storyteller Janis Mackay and
Palestinian dancer and poet Nada Shawa. Nada is a wheelchair user, and
incorporates her chair into her movement on stage, the two performers weaving
together to a mix of Scottish and Palestinian music, their dresses stitched with
hearts of tartan and tatreez. Shawa performs her poetry, including several pieces
that reflect on the current conflict in Gaza and her identity as a Palestinian woman.
Janis tells a story set in old Gaza, a fable about a fisherman’s son. One of the most
moving parts of the piece is a dialogue between the two performers, where Janis
expresses fear and doubt about dancing with Nada, in case she does something
wrong. Nada reassures her, tells her not to worry; that she is strong, and her
wheelchair is strong. It’s a simple, and yet profound reminder that friendship is
simple and transcends boundaries of the body, of background, of ability – we just
have to try.

I did find myself wishing for a little more of a consistent thread to tie the piece
together; and it did feel a little unbalanced and would perhaps benefit from shorter
and more even sections. Regardless, Mending Nets is a thoughtfully constructed,
meditative piece, a poignant reminder to pause and listen amidst the chaos of the
Fringe.

Mending Nets
Scottish Storytelling Centre (Netherbow Theatre)
13:30
1st Aug – 25th Aug