This is what I saw last night.
This is a song cycle which Malthouse Theatre have brought to life using only a pianist, singer, dancer and actor. The four men represent the one man struggling with his terrible past.
The set was lovely. This was my immediate impression when the curtains opened. I drew in my breath and put my eyes to work, tracing every line, every object. It was the internals of a modest home. An upright piano, french doors open with large green glitter falling from the sky, a warm glow to the lights, an operational kitchen and a turntable playing Winterreise already. The actor George Shevstov, tall, gawky so reminding me of someone I know who was equally as lost and empty.
In this work, Paul Capsis, in his ordinary clothes, and the pianist Alister Spence seemingly appear like phantoms to George - he seems to see them and want to quiet them, indeed at one time he grabs Alister and throws him out into the snow.
George seems to be making a meal for four, animatedly chopping up vegetables and putting them into a sizzling pan. But through the work, he descends into melancholy and madness; he cannot forget or silence his pain.
James O'Hara appears as his tortured soul, he flips and rolls and falls about, his contortions were wonderful, painful to watch. George can see him too and at times is curious, at other times horrified or angry. In one part he throws James upon the dinner table and repeatedly slams him back down as James tries to get up. James does a beautiful, lithe movement as well, just the once, a glimmer of hope for George.
While the work starts on the upright piano, after George casts the pianist out, he continues outside the french doors on a grand and the music becomes far greater in its delicate and terrible moments.
Paul's screams and falsetto are amazing, and forceful parts of the work. Finally George speaks, a soliloquy to explain this scene, his past, his horror. And then he shuts these spectres in the house and walks out into the snow.
While I had come out with mixed feelings, overnight I have come to enjoy this work immensely. James is so fluid in his movements. A friend of mine describes his pet hate as these contemporary dancers who do the "roly poly on the floor" and while I agree these flopping around/dancer at the mercy of the elements gig has been overdone, James seemed to absolute at his mastery, he was like smoke in the air.
I am so glad I saw this work. A few Brisbane Festivals ago, and I only one work stood out (the Almond and the Diamond, by a Canadian dance company) that I continue to remember. I think this one will be another to add to this slight list. Amazing.
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