| Still at the forefront of physical theatre? |
At Volcano Theatre |
| Volcano Theatre company- Destination , , September 29, 2001 |
| I had an extremely satisfying and stimulating time at this performance, the latest 'eruption' from VOLCANO. Their work certainly hits you right between the eyes! So what was it all about? Here are a few quotes from the program. Destination is a compelling piece of power and oppression explored through the relationship of a domineering mother and her reticent daughter. …His dark absurdist plays recall the spirit of Kafka, Beckett and Pinter. Many of Brenhard's plays are ironic accounts about the safeguarding of an endangered order, about an alleged state of emergency which justifies any action for its preservation. Bernhard's thematisation of controlling relationships links real biographical experiences with a general insight into the structure of power over oneself and others…Although the three characters in DESTINATION are all imbued with specific details from Bernard's life his own ability to see his own history as meta-history allows the mother to be recognized as the war time Austrian state, the invited writer as the Austrian Anschluss (the voluntary merging of Austria with Nazi Germany) and the daughter as the Austrian nation.. The play is directed by Kathryn Hunter. It's great to have her working in Wales. She has gained a great reputation both directing and performing with such companies as the Theatre de Complicite, Royal National Theatre and Shared Experience. She says of the play, "Bernhard's world view hits you like an out of control express train." I most certainly found it a powerful, although the political parallels eluded me. There was some very strong and compelling, back-hair tingling acting from Fern Smith (0ne of the VOLCANO founders) as the mother and great sensitive playing from Matilda Leyser as the daughter. Although this character had very little to say, it was virtually a one-woman show for the mother, this actress made us fell very aware of the oppression that the selfish mother had heaped upon her. We were all pleased when the writer appeared as a way in which the daughter might find her escape. He was very cleanly played by Burn Gorman. All three characters related well together in a very realistic manner. I missed Volcano's last production - their version of Noel Cowards 'Private Lives'. A production of this play was given a thunderously lively presentation as the opening play of what was then the Hampstead Theatre Club, a good many years ago. There the actors rolled about the floor and pulverized one another but I don't think the term 'Physical Theatre' had been invented then. I didn't think it added anything to improve the message of the play but if Volcano want to do acrobatics, aerobics and swing from the curtains, talk very loud, and call it Physical Theatre as long as they turn out good strong plays like this, then that's OK by me. |
Reviewed by: Michael Kelligan |
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