THE WEIGHT OF SHADOW
A physical exploration of the resilience of the mind
Symbolically based on true events, The Weight of Shadow depicts mental health deterioration. Inspired by Sasha's partner, Ciana Fitzgerald, it blends dance, mime and aerial acrobatics, reflecting the enigmatic language of the psyche. The show immerses viewers in the 24-hour struggle of a psychiatric patient to grasp reality, echoing Sasha's artistic vision. Fitzgerald's influence infuses the performance with emotional depth, portraying the complexities of mental illness through Sasha's lens. The production serves as a poignant exploration of the human mind's resilience amidst turmoil, resonating with audiences through its portrayal of inner struggles and external manifestations.
Reviews
"physical theatre at its finest… At the play’s end, Krohn has elevated the banal, the invisible and the downtrodden into high art and this is truly great theatre."
"This performance by Sasha Krohn, a performance artist, is exceptional... I urge you to see it for yourself. Sasha Krohn has extraordinary skills ...this outstanding show is awarded five fringe festival stars from Theatrevibe, a site that doesn’t do stars"
"With the muscular contours of his bare arms, legs and chest accentuated in the green gloom of the half-lit room, he looks physically strong and yet his tendons, ligaments and bones seem to have stopped working, bowing and breaking as he twists, spins and slips across the stage. It’s a striking embodied metaphor for how the appearance of strength doesn’t always mean a person behind it is strong - one that is inspired by Krohn’s partner, artist Cíana Fitzgerald’s real-life struggles with depression, anxiety and PTSD."
TOTAL THEATRE (DOES NOT GIVE STARS)
"It’s a physical tour-de-force by a very talented performer – a disturbing picture of mental illness, enacted with precision." "an intensely physical, nay visceral, depiction of distress...we are reminded of legendary physical performances by the likes of Derevo and Al Seed."
★★★★☆ A YOUNG(ISH) PERSPECTIVE
“A suffocating yet hopeful piece of must see physical theatre” “I can tell you about how beautiful the movement is, the grace and desperation in every second of physical acting, and what I felt watching it. But none of these can do it justice, only seeing it for yourself can.” “a testament to the power of both Sasha’s physical acting/dancing prowess… this is art that sits with you long after it has finished.”
"astonishing physicality...jaw-droppingly impressive movement as [Sasha] uses his entire body to express complex emotions." "Yet even if it's fairly impossible to imagine having this much skill and power, every movement is designed to convey easy-to-understand inner thoughts, feelings and frustrations, including brief moments of despair, triumph and hope.
"An incredible and a unique way to explore mental health through physical theatre and dance."
