Performed by Radu Stanca
Theatre, the Sibiu based company, "Örök Fiatalság és Örök Élet" is a
retelling of a Romanian fairy tale. Literally translated to mean "eternal
youth and eternal life" it is also a study of the subject of life and
death, growing up and staying young.
There are two parallel
universes onstage. In one, a serious man retreats inside his own dreams so that
he can meet the woman he can not have. In the other, a classic Romanian tale is
brought to life out of the incredible minds of children.
The qualities of youth are
presented on stage in forms of a naïveté, creativity and a love of
storytelling. The archetypes of youth are mirrored in the fairy tale land that
unfolds before our eyes as a childhood best friend becomes a sidekick horse in
this dream-like world.
As the story unfolds the
audience is given a glimpse into an imaginary world that only children can see
– a shared bridge to a far off Terebithia. As kids do, the actors play with
seemingly found objects to create a beautifully makeshift knight and evil
monsters for him to battle. The juxtaposition of these two unique realities is
a beautiful representation of the question of growing up. What really is the
difference between an adult and a child? The way that people interact as they
age does not change, but the social settings where we meet do.
The lighting is somewhat
effective in creating a fantastical and ethereal quality, although some changes
seem unnecessary, and even takes away from the onstage action.
It is more the ensemble
cast who are the centrifugal force of the performance. They push it smoothly
forward with their apt characterisation, moving about the two realms with ease.
When watching adults play as youngsters too often do we see the same
portrayals, however, this group of actors are able to create distant
personalities for the people (both young and old) they embody. Physically they
are spot on, wether playing elite party goers, crooked creatures, or even a
gallant steed.
Although at points the
wooden box at the front of the stage is a central aspect of focus, taking it's
place as both scenery and prop cupboard, it is too bad that in other scenes it
becomes an obstruction. Where the performances excels is in the bodies of the
actors, so it is a shame that we are unable to see because of the dark mass at
centre stage.
At the heart of it this
plays shows that there is still a child inside of each of us... And?! Does it
in a clever and visual interesting way....And?! And, it is something I will
remember seeing for a very long time.
J.
Kapcsolódó linkek:
