302. #Sugarwater; movie review

#SUGARWATER
Cert TBA
55 mins
BBFC advice: TBA

There was so much more I was left wanting to know about Graeae, a progressive theatre company which provides a platform for deaf and disabled people.
Sadly, however, Jo Lewis's documentary posed more questions than answers.
I understand that the Graeae team were very proud to be given the National Theatre's stage for a show and the film concentrated on that but that left little room for the bigger picture.
It focuses on rehearsals for The Solid Life Of Sugarwater, starring Genevieve Barr and Arthur Hughes.
The problem is that, without having seen the play in full, bite-size pieces make no obvious sense.
Ok, we do see the power of a deaf actress and actor with a shortened arm in intimate scenes following the death of a baby.
Or at least I think that is what happened because there is no clear explanation.
Instead, the excitement of the cast and crew over Graeae reaching the big time is repeated over and over.
I wanted to know more about how the company was founded, how it has grown and nuances such as how actors and back-room staff were chosen.
This was lightly touched upon but I also needed more detail of how the company had managed to secure such a prestigious slot.
Sure, there was an impassioned plea for greater funding of art groups for the disabled near the end of the documentary.
Otherwise, I had to read between the lines to understand the importance of the sector in giving confidence to disabled people.
Intriguingly,  Barr has carved national recognition by dint of performances on television but still enjoys the buzz of appearing on a mainstream London stage with a lesser-known company.
But there is too much concentration on her part in the play rather than her rise to fame as a deaf actress.
These points considered are why Lewis's film receives a moderate overall mark. I felt that it was enlightening but could have been much more illuminating.

Reasons to watch: Highlights the important work of Graeae
Reasons to avoid: I wanted to know more about the company

Laughs: A couple of chuckles
Jumps: None
Vomit: None
Nudity: None
Overall rating: 6/10

Did you know? Casting agency Spotlight has partnered with the National Theatre to champion deaf and disabled actors by offering industry professionals the opportunity to watch them in action on a free online video platform called ProFile.

The final word. Jo Lewis: “What is extraordinary about Graeae is that they’re not about shutting doors, of saying you can’t do this and that, or that this is not possible. They’re about opening doors, and asking how we make things possible." Paul F Cockburn

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