Concerning Strange Devices from the Distant West: The Intersection of Art and Authenticity
Theater: Berkeley Repertory Theatre, Berkeley, CA
Showing: 2/26 - 4/11/2010
Rating: 2/5 - interesting concept but scenes needed to flow better and the whole play needed to be less boring
About: It starts off in the 1800s (?) when Westerners bring the camera to Japan and the fad is for Westerners to own pictures of commoners in traditional garments (rickshaw drivers, geisha girls, etc.). There is a emphasis on tattoos that is mentioned in the beginning and soon forgotten. In the edo period lovers would get secret tattoos so that when they were in "the act" the tattoos conjoined to form a picture. (Interesting...) Flash forward to present day to an art history buff who collects pictures from the Meiji period. It suddenly becomes a drama-filled mystery with twists and a confusing flash-back.
My thoughts:
(-) Choppy. I know it was a preview so maybe they were still experimenting and getting the kinks out. One bar scene was a bit drawn out. When I see plays I like to be taken to another place that is different and unlike my normal life. I got a bit sleepy and bored during the bar scene because I feel like I could just sit at some bar and eavesdrop of some other table's conversation. I like how the lighting and backdrop were used to emphasized the tipsy drowsiness that comes with too much drink during a conversation but I found myself wishing I was elsewhere having my own half-asleep conversation. I resorted to poking my theatre companion's face for entertainment.
(+) I really liked the draping on the dresses and how the costume designers used thin, nude-colored material (like thick hosiery) to make tattoos. It reminded me of an Ed Hardy shirt with "sleeves" (when your arms are covered in tattoos) I saw and wondered who would pay $100 to wear that?
(-) Since there were only 5 actors, most doubled up or tripled up on roles. One guy sounded so similar between characters I almost missed the fact they changed centuries.
(+) Oh! Outside they set up a prop station so you can dress up with kimonos, fans, samuari swords, etc. and take pictures. This I like. =)
(-) Interesting use of lights. The bulbs outlined the sets and flashed as if taking a photograph. This was used as transitions between scenes. They need to unscrew ATLEAST HALF the bulbs because its a dim theater and those lights were BLINDING! Maybe its a tactic to make you not see the set changes but I learned to close my eyes whenever I heard the camera sound. I hope this does not have any lasting effects of Pavlovian conditioning. My eyes might be closed in pictures from now on.
(+) Under 30 discount and free drink with code. Unfortunately it was too strong and I ditched it after a few sips. The point is I said FREE.
Random: Why do all plays these days involve such scandalousness? I haven't seen a play that did not involve a sex scene or semi-nudity or some sex-crazed uncle hitting on a minor since Spamalot a couple years ago. Even then, I saw Spamalot a few hours after Avenue Q which involved a muppet sex scene so I don't know if that day counts. It felt like musicals that year had to somehow involve a wedding and someone coming out of the closet to qualify being on Broadway. And, none of the people involved in the scandalous scenes were married. I know ground-breaking art tends to push the envelope, but its feeling like those elements are so commonplace I'm feeling a bit desensitized.
Oh I lied, I saw The Pillowman last year. No sex, but it was a black comedy focused on unusual ways to kill children. Creative, but very disturbing. I had to learn the hard way that advertisements promoting "black comedy" in theater versus movies are saying very different things.
I would say the solution is to watch a theater production of High School Musical or Disney on Ice, you know someplace where the median age is about 6, but have you been to one of those shows!?!
#1- OoooOOOoooOOooooverpriced. I can buy an orchestra seat at the Berkeley rep for the cost of a program booklet at one of those shows. (FYI: programs at plays and musicals are free.)
#2- The show is just an easy gimmick for them to get you and a bunch of other suckers to a single location where they can try to sell you a bunch of their junk. Its like when they bring a costumed character to a store for photos - but times 10! I saw a production about Elmo planting a garden and as if the souveir booths at every entrance/exit wasn't enough, during intermission someone brought out the most enormous bouquet of Elmo balloons right into the middle of the arena. Seriously?!? It was like that scene in Lion King where the wildebeest stampede. The sleeping/drowsy kids who mistook the dim lights for nap time all came alive when the lights came on and stormed the vendor. Then for the rest of the show you're swaying back and forth behind an obstacle course of balloons just to see the stage.
Who am I kidding? I looooved those shows when I was little. I think I saw Wizard of Oz on ice. Who didn't want to be Dorothy with her faithful Toto and ruby slippers? Or a Disney princess? (Does everyone like Cinderella the best because she had the best dress? Because she doesn't win too many point with me based on her personality. Besides possibly her work ethic and her ability to communicate with animals, I don't know why she gets the most cheers.) I wanted to be Kristi Yamaguchi. Maybe because Mulan wasn't really a princess, I am not caucasian and KY has a pretty smile. My mom took me to see Champions on Ice. No souveneirs but I did see Brian Boitano and ate a red and blue snowcone. That was a good day. But now I am just rambling.
Note: Berkeley Rep has a Under 30 discount.
If you are under 30 years old you get 1/2 off tickets. Brilliant!!! Everyone gives student discounts but I think people are poorest right after college. Think about it. Crippling student loans, no more parental support, facing the reality of cost of living and trying cover everything with an entry-level salary, yes, people are probably poorest post-college. That is unless mom and dad paid for college and your entry-level salary is actually pretty cushy... then you should get a subsciption package! Their shows are great and totally affordable!
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