CHRYSALIS FEST REVIEW: There Is A Light: BRIGHTLIGHT@ The Traverse

There Is A Light: BRIGHTLIGHT is piece created by Contact Young Company and directed by award-winning artist Adura Onashile. It was created in collaboration with BRIGHTLIGHT, which was one of the first major studies looking into the treatment of young cancer patients in England.

From the very start the company address the audience and it seems clear it's going to both an enjoyable and emotionally involving show. The piece takes us through some of the stages of being a young person living with, and being affected by cancer from diagnosis to survival, intertwining individual stories throughout and exploring their experiences in a blend of creative ways. Tap dancing, singing, synchronised movement, a mock quiz show and a hilarious stand up routine all feature within the hour long show, and yet they still manage to integrate important facts and figures and a number of moving personal stories.

The minimal set really complements the work of the performers, with just an array of light bulbs hanging from the ceiling and a floor design of research mind maps providing an open space for the ensemble cast to truly make their own. Projections provide both comic and moving visuals throughout.

Behind the bold dramatics, it's clear that at the core this is an issue they are determined to fight for, and are doing so through this show. They find a way to cover so many aspects of cancer - stigma, sexuality, family treatment and the disease itself - and the company manage to tackle a hard-hitting topic with a strong balance of wit, depth and intelligence. Contact have created a touching and informative performance - a great example of youth theatre at its best.

They are performing at the Traverse for the remainder of the Chrysalis Festival on Saturday 18th and Sunday 19th at 2pm and 7.30pm respectively, and tickets can be bought here.