Arts

OzAsiaFestival Review: The Record

‘The Record’ was originally produced in 2013, and sees its Australian premiere at OzAsia this year. This piece brings together 45 people, mostly recruited through social media.

Presented by 600 Highwaymen
Reviewed 21 September 2016

Abigail Browde and Michael Silverstone’s company 600 Highwaymen, is an innovative, collaborative theatre company, which has been producing works of a consistently high quality since 2009. Based in the United States, they work with companies and actors across the globe.

The Record was originally produced in 2013, and sees its Australian premiere at OzAsia this year.

This piece brings together 45 people, mostly recruited through social media. Casting from outside the usual agencies brings a freshness and ingenuousness essential to a work such as this. Using only a bare stage and minimal lighting, The Space provides the perfect venue.

There is no doubting the power and intensity of this work. However, it is not an easy watch, and the opening night audience were restless and obviously slightly bored. A movement piece with no dialogue, it borrowed somewhat from the vocabulary of dance. Soundtrack was provided by a live cellist and recordings.

I felt as though I were watching a very long theatre-game, where subtleties are picked up by participants, but lost somewhat on any bystanders. It’s a sort of Ikea flat-pack of theatre, and many of us were struggling to find the Allen key.

Lest I be misunderstood, I will state unequivocally that I want more of this kind of work: it is certainly a breath of fresh air amongst the smog of the same-old-same-old that most companies (certainly in South Australia) churn out for their ennui-ridden subscribers.

I’d just like a stronger spine of story.

If you have any interest in theatre, dance or performance art, this is a must-see. Just be prepared to work for your artistic supper.

Reviewed by Tracey Korsten
Twitter: @TraceyKorsten

Rating (out of 5): 3

Venue: The Space
Season: 21-24 September
Duration: 60 minutes
Tickets: $25-$45
Bookings: Book online through the OzAsia website or phone BASS on 131 246

http://www.600highwaymen.org/

 

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