Monday, September 03, 2012
Edohotep
Writers: Andrew Taylor and Donovan Scheirer.
Cast: Nathan Howe, Lindsay Adams, James Aaron, Anthony MacMahon, Danielle Spilchen, Donovan Scheirer.
The fact that the tale "Two Corpses Go Dancing" is adapted from short story to theatrical form is to be commended. To see an extended version may well create interest in Polish-born author and folklorist Isaac Bashevis Singer’s fantastical works. His tales tend to look at what human nature does in adversity. And, when considering this dramatist lived through both World Wars, most of his life experiences can be read in the worlds he created. While not all of his stories are rooted in fantasy or horror – a good body of his works are based in real life – his short stories are characterized, if not personified, at Nobelprize.org to contain, “demons, spectres, ghosts and all kinds of infernal or supernatural powers from the rich storehouse of Jewish popular imagination.”
Maybe playwright Andrew Taylor might consider adapting more of this novelist’s imaginative works to stage. "Two Corpses Go Dancing" has been touring at least since 2011, and hopefully the play will reach a wider audience as recognition spreads. His version is like Tim Burton's Corpse Bride meets Goethe's Faust. Taylor fills in a few blanks and expands Singer’s tale so that newcomers can have a full experience of looking at the themes that the novelist likes to explore.
The play takes place in Warsaw. To survive is difficult, and most of its citizens look like downtrodden zombies from an early George Romero flick. When a mysterious narrator (Donovan Scheirer) introduces the show, he reveals that a dark force exists, namely him, and it is rooted in the undercurrent of city life. When he brings Itche Godl (Andrew Taylor), a discard of society, back to life, his plans become even more sinister.
As Godl tries to visit all that he has lost and finds most people have forgotten him, his remorse only grows until he meets the mysterious narrator (Scheirer). But this devil-may-care entity guides him to experience both pleasure and pain. As for what purpose, that is never certain. With even the 'good' characters rich in villainy and deceit, this play becomes very engrossing with its Central European influenced lyrical ballads, effective use of mise-en-scène and delivery of some very powerful performances.
Taylor not only deftly shows how desolation can consume a soul, but he also demonstrates his physical prowess. On a flat stage, some stunts are not easy to do without feeling a few scrapes the next day.
In a separate story thread, Finkle (Danielle Roy) is a woman who wandered away from her life, her home. After so many years, her family presumed her dead until her surprising return. But life is not easy. Gosia (Miranda Hughes), the daughter, tries to take care of Finkle and she experiences nothing but animosity. A seething fear and rage can be felt in Roy’s performance and with the lead performers truly delving into the pathos, this play has the signs of being a well-tuned product.
Eventually, these two ill-fated individuals meet. While they wonder if their God has abandoned them, maybe an agent from Heaven is actually closer to them than they realize. Angels and demons actually walk amongst the living in this world. Maybe they make despicable wagers with mortal souls as the prize. But the way Taylor and Scheirer have skillfully adapted Singer’s story suggests more of a trickster figure at work, making the show all the more poignant in the life lessons learned.
Overall: 9 out of 10.
To learn about where this play will tour next, please visit their Facebook page:
Two Corpses on Facebook
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Posted in: 2012,2012 release,festival,stills,theatre,theatres,theatrical,victoria
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