Fantastic! Canadian Stage is really coming up the ladder with this production. It was visually stunning, made amazing use of video and used the movement of people to great effect. So many more naked people than we expect to see on a Toronto stage, but so perfectly integrated that you forgot they were naked and focused entirely on the motion, exactly as Muybridge intended.
The performances were fine, but not outstanding. Not knowing the actors, it is hard to tell if this a result of direction to be somewhat stilted,(rather 19th century in feel) or whether the actors were feeling a bit self-conscious.
Electric Company theatre from Vancouver are certainly worth keeping an eye on, if this production is indicative of their abilities and talents.
Okay, so this is probably what Lepage was trying to achieve in "the Anderson Project".
ReplyDeleteA spectacular use of technology that enhanced, rather than distracted from the story.
The two timelines were handled adroitly, with no confusion and the two stories illuminating each other.
As befitted the subject, movement was paramount - almost a ballet.
The actors were not standouts, although Andrew Wheeler was effective as Eadweard Muybridge, but they were perhaps dancers first - and very effective as such - certainly competent at the verbal aspect, but excelled at the physical.
I really enjoyed it, much more so than I expected.
It is really nice to see Canadian Stage trying some new things this season; we were very close to not renewing the subscriptions as the fare had been so unmemorable.