Barrowland Ballet’s ‘Chunky Jewellery’ stands as a deeply personal work, drawing directly from the lived experiences of its co-creators, Natasha Gilmore and Jude Williams, in collaboration with director Ben Duke. This production captures a tumultuous year in the lives of the two close friends, transforming private hardships into a shared narrative through a mix of dance, song, and spoken elements.
Clocking in at about 75 minutes, the show examines the complexities of middle-aged womanhood, with themes of birth, grief, and loss interwoven into a story that prioritises the strength of platonic bonds over romantic ideals.
I don’t need to tell anyone that friendship struggles to get a look-in when it comes to ballet, or even modern dance.
The title draws from a light-hearted exchange about bold accessories symbolising women claiming space in midlife, a concept that reflects the production’s blend of humour and introspection. Gilmore and Williams recount their own challenges—a period marked by family expansions, emotional breakdowns, death, and the weight of caregiving for both elders and children—choosing to commemorate rather than erase these formative 12 months.
This autobiographical approach lends the piece an intimate authenticity, as the performers alternate between reliving events and reflecting on how to convey them artistically, creating a meta layer that invites viewers to consider the act of storytelling itself.
Gilmore, stepping back into performance and out of the Barrowland Ballet Artistic Director’s chair, brings a natural grace to her movements, using dance to convey unspoken emotions. Williams contributes her considerable singer-songwriting talents, blending covers & original tracks that shift from playful to profound, enhancing the emotional arc. Both artists bleed into the other’s disciplines so very joyfully, creating a unity to the show instead of ‘she dances/she sings.’ Their take on Carole King’s ‘A Natural Woman’ responding to babies, not lovers, is quite the showstopper.
“Barrowland Ballet’s ‘Chunky Jewellery’ stands as a deeply personal work, drawing directly from the lived experiences of its co-creators, Natasha Gilmore and Jude Williams…”
Their partnership feels rooted in genuine history, characterised by mutual interruptions and encouragement that echo their long-term companionship. Duke’s direction ties these elements together, supported by composer Davey Anderson’s score, lighting by Elle Taylor, set design by Shizuka Hariu, and associate direction from Vicki Manderson, resulting in a cohesive, celebratory but accessible presentation where sound and visuals amplify the raw honesty of the content. There’s no falderals here, just a table, some toys, a few screens on wheels, and above it all a light fixture made from…Chunky Jewellery.
The production’s strength lies in its candid depiction of life’s dualities: the exhilaration of new beginnings alongside the sorrow of endings, all sustained by friendship as a form of alternative love. Humour serves as a counterpoint to heavier moments, offering observational insights into societal views on ageing and femininity, while the narrative celebrates the resilience required to navigate midlife responsibilities.
Even if the final affirmations are a little one-directional, they still provide a necessary sense of closure, reinforcing the value considering our lived experiences through art.
I suppose there a risk that the intensely personal focus may sometimes narrow its scope. After all, once sufficiently matured, all friendships develop a unique shorthand, unfamiliar to lookers-on. It allows them a comfort in moving between levity and devastation, which could seem a little jarring at times. That said, when putting such an honest presentation of their lives on stage, I don’t see how things could be otherwise. Such is art!
In summary, ‘Chunky Jewellery’ offers a thoughtful examination of friendship’s role not only in weathering life’s storms, but in lifting each other up. This skilful blending of autobiography with artistic forms produces a work that is both vulnerable and affirming. It highlights Barrowland Ballet’s continuing ability to channel individual stories into universal reflections. Viva Chunky Jewellery! Viva Chunky Jewellery!
Show details
Venue: Venue 20: Assembly Rooms, 54 George Street, EH2 2LR (Google Maps)
Date(s): Fri 01 Aug to Sun 24 Aug (20 shows)
Time(s): 1:30pm (75 mins)
Age recommendation: 14+
Price: From £12 (concessions available)
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