REVIEW: Sole To Soul - Am I Free?

©️Sole To Soul Production

Credits

Dramaturg: Wu Wei-Wei
Choreographer: Takivan Damula Chuyouji
Performer: Chen Chi-An
Traditional Opera Movement Instructor: Chu An-Li
Music Designer: Vincent Juo
Costume Designer: Huang Chih-Yang

Inspired by the classic Peking Opera The Jade Bracelet, Sole To Soul reimagines traditional gestures, a striking fusion of traditional Chinese opera and contemporary dance that examines the evolving role of women across time and culture. This work is a deft fusion of traditional Chinese performance and contemporary dance, set against the backdrop of the foot-binding era. Despite the physical harm, women were bound to meet male aesthetic ideals - confined to their homes, burdened with household chores such as tending chickens and sewing shoes.

The opening traditional opera music, layered with an aged, nostalgic texture, punctuated by low rumbles and sudden flashes of light, lays a powerful foundation for the psychological shifts of its female characters. The sound design is particularly clever: a vintage radio filter overlays the score, while deep, resonant bass hints at a quiet inner thought: perhaps I can step outside?

The performance captures the struggle of women breaking free from the constraints of the old society and the weight of the male gaze. A flashlight becomes a searchlight, seeking out women who defy societal standards, a metaphorical hunt that underscores the persistence of control. The dancers’ physicality is exceptional, with the use of bandages effectively symbolising restriction.

That said, the sonic quality could be more finely tuned: the high frequencies verge on piercing, and some ambient layers feel more atmospheric than purposeful. In terms of props, moments like tending chickens or threading a needle could be more fully realised to enhance storytelling.

In the end, when the woman frees herself from bound feet, is she truly liberated? The multicoloured shopping bags that replace the bandages suggest otherwise; modern society’s standards are yet another form of constraint.

★★★★½

This show is currently performing during the Edinburgh Festival Fringe until the 19th August. For more information, please visit: https://www.edfringe.com/tickets/whats-on/sole-to-soul