Words: Miriam Kirchberger
Image: Danilo Apoena

3 stars

To get to Bruna Longo’s show ‘Whale Fall’, you have to cross the cemetery to reach St. Cuthbert’s church. For a performance that revolves around mortality, grief and funeral rites, there couldn’t be a more fitting venue. Outside the church, we meet Bruna who explains her anguish at the impossibility of writing and staging a piece about her death once she has died. This is unlike her usual artistic practice which turns her experience into theatre. As a result, she has pre-emptively written this piece. 

Not only is the performance inspired by her future death but it is very much informed by her father’s death four years ago. The Brazilian performer takes us through the day of her father’s funeral and compares Western funeral practices with those around the world. She also explores how animals mourn and makes reference to Greek mythology. This is where the piece falls short. At certain moments it resembles the recital of an encyclopedia, plying the audience with knowledge and facts.

Bruna is an incredible actress, singer and dancer. A real triple threat, she moves her body to the explanation of biological processes of human decay and intersperses the piece with mourning songs and wailing. It is not a light-hearted performance but it is equally not without humour.

It’s an arguably too ambitious piece which cycles through the stages of grief while not giving the audience a definite answer where she currently stands. Her talents are undeniable though and her performance will leave a lasting impression. 

Whale Fall or Song to Dance With My Death
St Cuthbert’s Church 
Various times 
10 – 27 August