I could go on singing

Last week I went to The South Bank Centre to experience F K Alexander’s performance art I could go on singing.

I’ve not seen that much performance art so I wasn’t sure what to expect but having read the description, I knew it was something I wanted to attend.

F K Alexander Sings along to the final recording of Judy Garland singing somewhere over the rainbow against a backdrop of noise music.  Its very intense but it is also incredibly beautiful.  Self selected members of the audience step up and give their ticket to her and she then performs the song holding your hand and maintaining eye contact.

I have a resonance with Judy Garland, her voice is stunning and pure and my heart grieves for what Hollywood did to her and so many other young women. So there is that weight that is brought to the performance, there is the energy that F K Alexander brings her self which is beautiful and uncompromising and every person who steps up gets the exact same treatment and performance which in itself is a thing to behold.  Holding her hand and looking into her eyes is a deeply personal thing. We don’t speak but there is a communication of feeling in the lyrics of the song. The way Judy’s voice cracks in the second verse and F K matches her. A sense of truma going way back and you are witness to it and she is witness to yours an understanding in that moment, in that hand squeeze and a kiss on your cheek of affection because you went and made yourself vulnerable.

In the performance I was at which lasted an hour I think about ten people elected to be part of the performance, myself included.  It was an intense hour the contast noise music made it a difficult environment to stay in probably more for some than others but weirdly it also felt like protection.

If you get the chance you should check it out because it is a moving experience.

Jane Hanmer


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