The New Dead: Medea Material
What a disappointing end to a fabulous year of Indie theatre at La Boite. Kat Henry’s idea of entwining the translated German poetry of Heiner Muller and shaping it into an abstract piece of theatre lacked clarity and quality.
Presented by Stella Electrika and La Boite Theatre Company
Roundhouse Theatre, Kelvin Grove,
Brisbane 19th November 2010
What a disappointing end to a fabulous year of Indie theatre at La Boite. Kat Henry’s idea of entwining the translated German poetry of Heiner Muller and shaping it into an abstract piece of theatre lacked clarity and quality.
La Boite’s Indie 2010 season has showcased some fabulous plays including Blackbird and The Bitterling, so there were high expectations for the final instalment. Unfortunately, this creation baffled more than it impressed with its inclusions of roller skating, screen, music and dance.
Henry’s passion for her idea and Muller’s text shone, but so did the acute enthusiasm that ultimately strangled this piece. There was too much presented with too little precision and direction – delivering an untidy production. What’s more, this show is a prime example of when someone tries too hard to be contemporary and artistic. From what I can tell the text is very political and heavy. The show didn’t do much to demonstrate its meaning for me.
Princess Glauce (Kimie Tsukakoshi) opened the show with a monologue on roller-skates. While her poetry was articulate and performance energetic, her delivery of humour didn’t quite hit the mark. Next we were introduced to a woman drinking out of a wine bottle on a toilet: meet Medea (Lucinda Shaw). Her partner Jason (Guy Wesbter) was next door watching TV. They entered an argument which revealed a poorly designed set but where Princess Glauce impressed with her pole-dancing. Webster performed well on the drums, but the sound combined with ear-piercing electro style noise on the keyboard drowned out poetry delivered by Medea – and almost drove me out of the theatre.
But I didn’t walk away with nothing. I now know what Hentai anime pornography is after being exposed to its graphic visuals. I was stunned by this Japanese cartoon porn! Unfortunately, it was only this shock value that left a lasting impression.
Webster’s performance was flatter than his counterparts’ but probably the more believable. I saw Tsukakoshi purely as a toy that was thrown between Medea and Jason and I suppose she lived up to this role well for the most part. Shaw’s performance was angry and rough but didn’t reach an intensity that moved me. She may have had a nice singing voice but I wouldn’t know because it was impossible to hear her over the live music.
Thankfully, there was an ending that grabbed me. Very clever multimedia design by John Feely combined with Alex Duffy’s stirring film footage worked brilliantly. The screen backdrop that featured live Tsukakoshi in a neighbouring room off stage with multiple TV’s playing the film footage was like a magnet that brought the audience onto the set.
I don’t think this show was ready for stage and would need a complete over-haul if it was to ever be ready.
The New Dead: Medea Material is showing until the 5th of December. Bookings at www.laboite.com.au.