Last night, Trinity Arts Festival’s (TAF) Fourth Week event saw the Graduates Memorial Building (GMB) transformed into a mystical, eerie woodland inspired by the tales of the Brother’s Grimm and their most memorable characters. Highlighting the very best of what societies have to offer, the event was an opportunity for collaboration, whilst celebrating the end of one of the busiest weeks for societies on campus this year.
The evening began in Front Square where a crowd gathered to watch Trinity Juggling and Circus Society perform a fire show. The impressive and energetic display set the tone for the rest of the night, and provided quite the spectacle for those passing through Front Square on their journey home from work.
Upon entering the GMB, the audience were met by a pair of mischievous court clowns who led the crowd hastily to the chambers. Here, spectators were met with the Brother’s Grimm themselves, who imaginatively set out the narrative for the evening with a witty and comical speech. The performance worked to effectively grasp the audience’s intrigue, and left them curious as to what to expect next.
Each room of the GMB had a distinctly different, but highly creative atmosphere, displaying the creative talent of many different societies. DU Food and Drink delighted the crowd with their mulled cider and delectable display of muffins, while Trinity Visual Arts Society (VisArts) held arts and crafts activities. Trinity Fashion Society took upon themselves the challenge of ensuring that all in attendance were doused in glitter. All the while, DU Players kept the energy up with their Brother’s Grimm sketches which were performed throughout the building.
However, the best was yet to come. Upon arriving at the pool room I was greeted by set of suspicious-looking elves, who instantly grabbed a blindfold and fixed it over my eyes. They then shuffled me into a land unknown, where the sound of the Afro-Caribbean Society’s musicians saturated the room. I was then told to follow a rope in order to complete my journey through the woods. Clinging onto the rope as riddles were whispered into my ears, I was tickled by feathers and attacked by water pistols. I found the experience to be highly comical, and no doubt onlookers in the room were suitably entertained by watching us stumble around in confusion and anticipation.
Now at the end of our journey, our blindfolds were removed and we were free to climb to the top of the dizzying heights of the GMB. Upon reaching the top, attendees were received by none other than DUDJ, who provided some fitting tunes. The room was decorated with art installations that hung from the roof, creatively illuminated by colourful lighting. Trinity Juggling and Circus Society members performed with LED hula hoops whilst projections of the Brother’s Grimm fairytales filled the walls. The room was quintessentially TAF, and effortlessly cool.
TAF’s ability to transform a building we all know so well into a realm of magic and mystery for the evening is something to behold. Their ability to include so many societies whilst creatively maintaining a constant theme is what makes TAF’s fourth week event a highlight every year.
