Saturday, April 14, 2007

Impression of Requiem Aeternam Deo...

I didn't know what to expect when I walked into the Kraine Theater. Before me, unfolded a stylized interpretation of Nietzsche's work through experimental theater. The production follows Zarathustra and the events/thoughts that follow the death of God.

At times tragic, at others comedic, this philosophy-laden performance engaged with several different ways of telling a story. What struck me the most was the role played by Aurea Tomeski. Her performance was amazingly haunting and sent shivers through my spine. In my opinion, her's was the most challenging to pull off. Aurea's character was completely covered by a stretchy black fabric. Her powerful and distinctive voice had to penetrate the cloth and the pretension of a possibly overly-dominate stage prop (that in the wrong hands could have been very cheesy and cliche). She was simply masterful with her stage presence. Being seen. Being invisible. She spoke with her body and made the fabric become a part of her character (yet still retained its symbolic quality); transformed into the epitome of a three-dimensional silhouette. While her fellow actors for the most part had costumes and facial expressions to aid in their performances, Aureas was done completely behind the shroud... a testament to her mettle as a truly stellar actress.

Requiem Aeternam Deo has one more show, SUNDAY April 15th, 3 PM.

2 comments:

Jean Katherine Baldridge said...

very articulate review.

ps: I saw your flikr photos and they are beautiful!

Andrew Thornton said...

Thanks, Jean! I'm glad that you enjoyed my pieces and liked the review I wrote.

OH! I'm working on a project for Green Girl. You might be too busy to do it or not, but I'm putting together a jewelry design book... kind of like Stringing, but all featuring Green Girl stuff. Let me know and I'll send you some swag.