In Search for the Soul

Echo - In Search for the Soul

By Neelanjana

Holy Trinity Church, Roehampton, was a brilliant choice as far as setting is concerned for this ‘cinematic theatre gig piece.’ The high ceilings paired with ALVIRA’s strong, vibrato-rich voice perfectly created an air of ethereal, soulful energy, which reverberated through the pews – bassy sound waves pulsing through the audience.

In ‘Echo’, a “journey of discovery” is what we were promised, and a “journey of discovery” is what we got, in some way, shape or form. Portia van de Braam, the artist who goes by the stage name ALVIRA, utilises pre-recorded ethereal videography and music. She builds on these using her looper pedal, creating music in real time in front of her viewers, singing base notes and layering harmonies over the recording – each one ringing out clear and strong throughout the church.

Her mellifluous voice with its jazzy intonations only gained power and weight as the music rose to an earth shaking crescendo, the final notes echoing through the church. With liquid movements, she moved across the stage, unafraid to use every inch liberally, her prior ballet training showing through during her interpretive dance sequence. The lighting dramatically enunciated her sharp features, natural sunlight streaming in through stained glass windows on her right, juxtaposed with stale blue light from stage lanterns on her left.

Throughout the performance, the artist gave tune to poetry from different pieces of literature, the most significant being ‘The Echo’ and ‘My Seeking Soul’ by her late father, Dorian van Braam, as well as powerful verses titled, ‘Hell is Empty,’ and ‘Liberty,’ from Shakespeare’s ‘The Tempest.’ 

Her passion for music is seen through her bodily reactions to her own singing – fingers curling, body caving in and straightening up, and pulsing movements to the beat. Her journey comes to a close with a line that reminds her audience to stay true to their roots: ‘with all that flying, one must remember from whence they came’.