Post by Hannah on Feb 2, 2006 9:59:19 GMT 11
This is just going to be a *really* quick review of the Sydney Festival events I saw. Overall, it was amazing. I don't understand why we get such amazing theatre for only a month at the start of the year, then for the rest of the year we have to put up with The Producers (yeah yeah, the latter is fun, but it's not exactly brilliant theatre). *grumble grumble uncultured city in an uncultured country grumble grumble*
Ok, now that's over...
Blue Invasion
An art installation in Hyde Park. Very mesmerising! The projections through the fountain and into the trees were very cool, as was the "meteorite" that landed, with the creepy eyes projected through it. Ten points to the actors who kept their cool and stayed in character despite horrible gullible people accusing them of ruining people's lives (the actors were employed as aliens to test what colour planet you were - very much like star signs). I dragged some friends to it, and they thanked me afterwards. Lots of fun.
The Andersen Project
Robert Lepage is such an amazing performer. This piece was such an ingenius creation! Just a series of monologues, but executed so well to tell a great story. He's got great comic timing, and kept me enthralled for over 2 hours without an interval, despite my being at the very back of the Sydney Theatre. Very very cool production elements utilised - I especially loved the "flat" white screen used for projections which he suddenly jumped onto and started "graffitting" (there was a sloped section of the wall at the bottom which we couldn't see). If he comes to your city, see him.
Tristan and Yseult
Kneehigh theatre company from Cornwell (?). This show was incredibly entertaining. It had everything - hilarious comedy, a tragic story, audience participation... just a great night of theatre. What I particularly liked was the fact that they seemed to do everything that you just "don't do" if you want good theatre - and I mean everything - and yet it worked so well! Brilliant cast able to transform from their player roles into their play-with-a-play roles. Awesome set with many levels and a great pulley system which was utilised very well. Go and see it if you haven't - it's still on.
Bright Abyss
This was a circus theatre performance. It had no through-line - wasn't about anything - but each act was beautifully executed. You can just see Charlie Chaplin in James Thieree's movement and stance - it's creepy! (He is his grandson.) Brilliant performers on the whole - I'd say that the only weakness was the opera singer (she was obviously a singer and not a circus performer). There was some beautiful moments, when the stage was just transformed into different places and elements using just normal stage props - really opened my eyes to what can be done with normal 'things'. I'm annoyed at the Theatre Royal because I specifically bought "B" tickets as opposed to "Restricted Viewing" tickets, because I wanted to see the show, but didn't mind if I was far away. When I got there I was at the back of the stalls and the dress circle covered the top of the stage (which doesn't matter normally, but did in a circus performance). I missed the entire aerial performance. But still, I was just so impressed with the rest of the show. Such skill and vision.
Ok, now that's over...
Blue Invasion
An art installation in Hyde Park. Very mesmerising! The projections through the fountain and into the trees were very cool, as was the "meteorite" that landed, with the creepy eyes projected through it. Ten points to the actors who kept their cool and stayed in character despite horrible gullible people accusing them of ruining people's lives (the actors were employed as aliens to test what colour planet you were - very much like star signs). I dragged some friends to it, and they thanked me afterwards. Lots of fun.
The Andersen Project
Robert Lepage is such an amazing performer. This piece was such an ingenius creation! Just a series of monologues, but executed so well to tell a great story. He's got great comic timing, and kept me enthralled for over 2 hours without an interval, despite my being at the very back of the Sydney Theatre. Very very cool production elements utilised - I especially loved the "flat" white screen used for projections which he suddenly jumped onto and started "graffitting" (there was a sloped section of the wall at the bottom which we couldn't see). If he comes to your city, see him.
Tristan and Yseult
Kneehigh theatre company from Cornwell (?). This show was incredibly entertaining. It had everything - hilarious comedy, a tragic story, audience participation... just a great night of theatre. What I particularly liked was the fact that they seemed to do everything that you just "don't do" if you want good theatre - and I mean everything - and yet it worked so well! Brilliant cast able to transform from their player roles into their play-with-a-play roles. Awesome set with many levels and a great pulley system which was utilised very well. Go and see it if you haven't - it's still on.
Bright Abyss
This was a circus theatre performance. It had no through-line - wasn't about anything - but each act was beautifully executed. You can just see Charlie Chaplin in James Thieree's movement and stance - it's creepy! (He is his grandson.) Brilliant performers on the whole - I'd say that the only weakness was the opera singer (she was obviously a singer and not a circus performer). There was some beautiful moments, when the stage was just transformed into different places and elements using just normal stage props - really opened my eyes to what can be done with normal 'things'. I'm annoyed at the Theatre Royal because I specifically bought "B" tickets as opposed to "Restricted Viewing" tickets, because I wanted to see the show, but didn't mind if I was far away. When I got there I was at the back of the stalls and the dress circle covered the top of the stage (which doesn't matter normally, but did in a circus performance). I missed the entire aerial performance. But still, I was just so impressed with the rest of the show. Such skill and vision.