This abstract one-hour performance had physical theatre that amazed, but I was left unaffected by its message.

Transverse Fracture Of The First Metacarpal was the space where Kieran Law and Genevieve Trace shared their personal journeys with injuries and rehabilitation.

While both Law and Trace were exceptionally animated performers, with great strength and talent, I didn’t find their tales of injury and rehab particularly moving.

The injuries were severe, but we’re not talking about paralysis or brain damage. Rather broken noses, ribs, and foot breaks. I mean no disrespect to the actors, but the experiences were not engaging or interesting enough for an entire production.

Their passionate performances and the intense music created the atmosphere of drama, suspense, and anguish – but the story didn’t correspond with these emotions. During the show I asked myself ‘what is so dramatic about hurting yourself in this way?’ and ‘what would prompt someone to develop a creative piece solely based on these injuries?’ The performance didn’t answer these for me.

As for their physical performances, they certainly impressed. The saying ‘strong as an ox’ comes to mind. With the flexibility to complement this strength, it was obvious they could do just about anything, and they proved this with many difficult movements.

This contemporary piece was very jagged in its tone. One minute the audience was laughing at mishaps that led Law or Trace to injury, the next, the actors were trying to draw us into the gloom of recovery. This would be effective if such wavering emotion was appropriate, but once again, the story wasn’t that dramatic.

That said, the humour was done well. I found Trace particularly funny as she played her injury while on stage as a Jester, dressed in “puffy sleeves” and “puffy pants”. On many occasions the audience also laughed along with Law, especially when he acted out his football injury. Suddenly an injured team member became the game’s hero by his report!

Sound design by Thom Browning was intriguing and successfully built the suspenseful mood changes of the show - “with a hint of creepy” my date for the night commented. At times it gave me feelings of trepidation and I had to remind myself to breathe normally. This also happened when watching the actors push themselves to their limits physically.

Lighting design by Whitney Eglington was a major player in the sharpness of the production. Constant atmospheric changes in the story required bold transformations with light and shade.

Whether you enjoy this production or not I believe will come down to personal perception and your own experiences with overcoming physical challenges.