Blind Summit Theatre “Low Life”
“The Low Life Bar is a place for people and puppets – it’s not the place you go; it’s the place you end up.”
Four skilled artists share the stories of the bar’s patrons through the skillful use and manipulation of a variety of puppets. Using various styles (bunraku to tonka toys) they convey a wealth of emotion and humor. Favorite sketch was the murder mystery classic movie told with little blue men (cross between Playskool and Precious Moments characters). This company is very promising - for further consideration.
Gecko “The Arab & the Jew”
I really like the concept of this show – a non-political look at the turmoil in the Middle East . It’s more about the people than it is the issues. The execution of the concept, which uses a bit of puppetry, comedy, high flying and even boxing, is a bit more uneven. Like many of the Fringe events, the hour-long length could have been trimmed by at least five minutes and a meatier, edited 90 minute treatment might have provided a more significant statement, especially for a Midwest audience.
Hoipolloi Theatre “Floating”
This fantastical tale of the island that floated away is a multi-media presentation with the barest level of technology. Overhead projector, slide projectors and a humble collection of very homey props help tell this tale from the perspective of the innocent young native that tried to break away. Tearing down the fourth wall, this is an interactive presentation in the best pre-Power Point traditions. Though an engaging hour with two skilled performers, the island would have to float to the States to make it cost-effective enough to warrant a Midwest US presentation.
New International Encounter “End of Everything Ever”
This charming and moving story tells the story or Agata Rosenbaum, a young Berliner sent to England during the Kindertransport and the tale of the children lost, given away or hidden in attempts to save them from the Holocaust. Music and occasional humor ease the audience through the telling of a difficult story. Trimming and occasionally a little less over-acting would serve this otherwise strong production. On the heels of “Hana’s Suitcase,” this may be a perfect offering for the Edison or overkill – still deciding.
Friday, August 24, 2007
Wednesday, August 22, 2007
Au Cul du Loop “Score” – While intrigued by “Mousson” at the 2002 Fringe, this production has totally captured my attention. This cacophony of sound with fully orchestrated movement is a pleasure for the eye, the ear and the funny bone. I definitely look forward to fully explore this option. The production may not be as refined as some, but the elements are very worthwhile.
Song of the Goat “Lacrimosa”
While beautifully executed, this production lost me early on and gave me little to try and find my way. Admittedly, it’s a company from Poland and the bulk of the religious fervor and fear are communicated in frantic paced Polish. The occasional English phrases thrown in for the primarily English audience only add to the confusion as they are mostly the poetic moments. The performers were able to convey the heart of the story very effectively, but any nuance was lost on me.
Stan’s Café (pronounced “caff”) “The Cleansing of Constance Brown”
This one still has me thinking – which is always a good sign. This is a site-specific work that would not work in a traditional space and requires a limited audience size due to sightlines. It’s a visual phenomenon with ultimately very little audible dialogue. The first set change in the opening moments promises a different kind of experience, and this show delivers. I look forward to following this company closely.
Rude Mechs “Get Your War On”
This Austin-based company needs to consider its delivery as well as its content. The f*#k count (which they conducted on their own) during one scene mid-show only accented the core issue with this production. It has one thing to say and only one word with which to express the thought. Profanity as a tool in expression is one thing. Here it just points up a lack of creativity. The actors looked tired and distracted, and soon so was the audience.
Traverse Theatre Company “Night Time”
The most interesting thing about this production was the couch that pivoted on a central point slowly during the production which represented the passing of time, a full cycle from night to morning.
Song of the Goat “Lacrimosa”
While beautifully executed, this production lost me early on and gave me little to try and find my way. Admittedly, it’s a company from Poland and the bulk of the religious fervor and fear are communicated in frantic paced Polish. The occasional English phrases thrown in for the primarily English audience only add to the confusion as they are mostly the poetic moments. The performers were able to convey the heart of the story very effectively, but any nuance was lost on me.
Stan’s Café (pronounced “caff”) “The Cleansing of Constance Brown”
This one still has me thinking – which is always a good sign. This is a site-specific work that would not work in a traditional space and requires a limited audience size due to sightlines. It’s a visual phenomenon with ultimately very little audible dialogue. The first set change in the opening moments promises a different kind of experience, and this show delivers. I look forward to following this company closely.
Rude Mechs “Get Your War On”
This Austin-based company needs to consider its delivery as well as its content. The f*#k count (which they conducted on their own) during one scene mid-show only accented the core issue with this production. It has one thing to say and only one word with which to express the thought. Profanity as a tool in expression is one thing. Here it just points up a lack of creativity. The actors looked tired and distracted, and soon so was the audience.
Traverse Theatre Company “Night Time”
The most interesting thing about this production was the couch that pivoted on a central point slowly during the production which represented the passing of time, a full cycle from night to morning.
Tuesday, August 21, 2007
An Audience with Adrienne – This is a truly, genuine performer leading a thoughtful, introspective conversation. Set in an intimate (no more than 20) living room setting, to a degree, the success of the piece relies on the audience becoming part of it all. Half of the 12 in my audience didn’t speak English well and I question how well they understood it. This would be a great workshop opportunity or festival work.
Ransom Productions “This Piece of Earth” – This is an agonizing piece of theatre, grim from the very beginning and yet starkly beautiful. The intense physicality required of the actors, literally starving to death on stage, would necessitate daily chiropractic and massage work. Extraordinary performances by each actor (two) – this is definitely a company to follow
National Theatre of Scotland “Venus as a Boy” – What a gripping piece of theatre this is! The only criticism I’ve heard has been of the adaptor casting himself in the role of the solo performer who has to pull off the young, gorgeous male prostitute. The actor/adaptor seems to be late 40’s. I think he pulled it off wonderfully though. It may also be a testament to the strength of the overall work. The musician providing the accompaniment actually wrote the book on which the show was based. He reminds me greatly of Daniel Bernard Roumain in aesthetic and attitude.
“Butch” – Just Skip It.
Ransom Productions “This Piece of Earth” – This is an agonizing piece of theatre, grim from the very beginning and yet starkly beautiful. The intense physicality required of the actors, literally starving to death on stage, would necessitate daily chiropractic and massage work. Extraordinary performances by each actor (two) – this is definitely a company to follow
National Theatre of Scotland “Venus as a Boy” – What a gripping piece of theatre this is! The only criticism I’ve heard has been of the adaptor casting himself in the role of the solo performer who has to pull off the young, gorgeous male prostitute. The actor/adaptor seems to be late 40’s. I think he pulled it off wonderfully though. It may also be a testament to the strength of the overall work. The musician providing the accompaniment actually wrote the book on which the show was based. He reminds me greatly of Daniel Bernard Roumain in aesthetic and attitude.
“Butch” – Just Skip It.
Monday, August 20, 2007
Not a great day physically. Feeling hard core jetlag for the first time, energy levels leave me with only a couple shows and a variety of meetings with colleagues.
Corn Exchange Newbury “Longwave”
The only dialogue or language of this piece actually comes through the radio. Otherwise, the two actors while on stage convey everything through silent interaction. Really like the intention of this work, but the execution could use some redefinition.
Corn Exchange Newbury “Longwave”
The only dialogue or language of this piece actually comes through the radio. Otherwise, the two actors while on stage convey everything through silent interaction. Really like the intention of this work, but the execution could use some redefinition.
Sunday, August 19, 2007
Company Adam Read – “Eclipse”
Now, I’ve seen a fair share of crap in my days (How’s that for an ominous beginning?).
Part of the job is sifting through the various “options.” Coming to Edinburgh Fringe is exciting and frustrating because of the wide range of quality you might experience. I expect great things of the week. It’s only unfortunate that it’s such a weak start. Like a promise, a noose hangs in the foreground throughout this piece. Alas, it was simply another of many props used in what seemed to be a disconnected, unmotivated and uninspiring collection of moments in movement. I’ll give this “dancer” one thing: he’s in great shape. Alas, even the near naked costuming couldn’t save this one. Off to the next one – tomorrow is another day.
Now, I’ve seen a fair share of crap in my days (How’s that for an ominous beginning?).
Part of the job is sifting through the various “options.” Coming to Edinburgh Fringe is exciting and frustrating because of the wide range of quality you might experience. I expect great things of the week. It’s only unfortunate that it’s such a weak start. Like a promise, a noose hangs in the foreground throughout this piece. Alas, it was simply another of many props used in what seemed to be a disconnected, unmotivated and uninspiring collection of moments in movement. I’ll give this “dancer” one thing: he’s in great shape. Alas, even the near naked costuming couldn’t save this one. Off to the next one – tomorrow is another day.
Saturday, August 18, 2007
7/18/07 - And here we go...
This ends the first day of my 8 full days in England and Scotland. By invitation of the British Council, I am on my way to the Edinburgh Showcase hosted by the Council as part of the Edinburgh International and Fringe Festivals. Arriving very late last night, today was intended to give me a much needed day to get over jetlag and get some business done in London. I'm not so much of a workaholic that I don't know how to enjoy a day in London. And after a very productive afternoon (the morning was lost to jetlag) I started off enjoying a night in the West End - London's equivalent to Broadway. I get to New York at least a couple/few times per year but seeing Edison-style shows leaves me very few opportunities to see anything actually on Broadway. It seems my varied trips to England have given more "popular" theatre experiences than all my trips to New York. So tonight, at long last, I have finally seen "Avenue Q."
Now for anyone who knows me (and apologies to anyone who has ever set anywhere near me in the theatre) you know I have a rather large and distinctive laugh, or set of sounds that are generally attributed to laughter. Fortunately I had the foresight to apologize to the patrons on either side of me in advance. From the glances I immediately received from everyone else surrounding me at the very onset of intermission, it was clear that I should have cast that net much larger earlier in the evening. To say the least, I enjoyed the show immensely. I knew all of the music going in from cast recordings. Seeing the full show added so much more to my full appreciation of the writers of this show.
With the certainty that the next week will provide me with many less enjoyable theatre experiences, I'm glad I took this chance to just laugh myself silly. The Edinburgh experience is always worthwhile, but not all that glistens is gold and many of the offerings in Edinburgh are either not to my taste or simply god-awful.
Off to a good night's sleep prior to my train ride to Edinburgh and more exciting theatre offerings.x
Now for anyone who knows me (and apologies to anyone who has ever set anywhere near me in the theatre) you know I have a rather large and distinctive laugh, or set of sounds that are generally attributed to laughter. Fortunately I had the foresight to apologize to the patrons on either side of me in advance. From the glances I immediately received from everyone else surrounding me at the very onset of intermission, it was clear that I should have cast that net much larger earlier in the evening. To say the least, I enjoyed the show immensely. I knew all of the music going in from cast recordings. Seeing the full show added so much more to my full appreciation of the writers of this show.
With the certainty that the next week will provide me with many less enjoyable theatre experiences, I'm glad I took this chance to just laugh myself silly. The Edinburgh experience is always worthwhile, but not all that glistens is gold and many of the offerings in Edinburgh are either not to my taste or simply god-awful.
Off to a good night's sleep prior to my train ride to Edinburgh and more exciting theatre offerings.x
Wednesday, August 1, 2007
OVATIONS! 2008-09 - A beginning
I begin the process of selecting artists for the 2008-09 Edison Theatre OVATIONS! series. Well, actually, that started 20 years ago (officially 20 years ago next week) when I started in this industry. Everything's cumulative here. Everything I've seen has led me to understand and appreciate (or not) everything else I see. Ultimately, my serious consideration of artists for next season began with artists that didn't make the cut for this current season or projects that artists have in development and shared with me along the way.
I invite you to join me throughout this season as I travel around the country and around the world to preview work for consideration for the Edison and St. Louis. I must say, I do have the best job around. I will do my best to be as candid as possible as I review the work I see. You may end getting third, fourth and fifth impressions to go with my immediate reactions once I have a chance to let something simmer. Keep in mind though, just because I love something doesn't necessarily mean it will end up on the Edison stage. Timing, money, balance - lots of factors come into consideration when finalizing the season, but hopefully this will give you the chance to get a glimpse into the journey and have you better understand both the process and the product that ends up on stage.
Keep in mind, I love to hear recommendations and differing opinions. Be willing to argue your opinion if different than mine. I expect to learn a lot in this process as well.
Charlie
I invite you to join me throughout this season as I travel around the country and around the world to preview work for consideration for the Edison and St. Louis. I must say, I do have the best job around. I will do my best to be as candid as possible as I review the work I see. You may end getting third, fourth and fifth impressions to go with my immediate reactions once I have a chance to let something simmer. Keep in mind though, just because I love something doesn't necessarily mean it will end up on the Edison stage. Timing, money, balance - lots of factors come into consideration when finalizing the season, but hopefully this will give you the chance to get a glimpse into the journey and have you better understand both the process and the product that ends up on stage.
Keep in mind, I love to hear recommendations and differing opinions. Be willing to argue your opinion if different than mine. I expect to learn a lot in this process as well.
Charlie
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