Sojourn Theatre
March 28 - April 13, 2008
Review by Guyon
A piecemeal script with few engaging characters, delivers an obvious message (people die) and predictable conclusion. A disappointing use of space; why do site-specific theatre when the majority of the scenes take place elsewhere? The clinic's stifling acoustics and meager lighting ruins attempts to transport audience to outdoor sangomo rituals.
3 comments:
Wow, I had a totally different experience, and so did the 6 friends that attended with me. This is the fourth Sojourn show I’ve attended, and as always I found it refreshing, innovative, and utterly inspiring. Instead of relying on traditional realistic forms to probe life’s most universal issue (“people die,” as you put it), Throwing Bones creates a transitive landscape in which to investigate the key question, “how do we cope with the fact that sickness and death are a part of life?” The emotional struggle that is inherent in this dichotomy is physically present and griping in this show. The characters are honest, lovable, and diverse. The site-specific nature of the show creates an atmosphere in which metaphor and symbolism are used to further dig into ideas about uncertainty and loss. And, yet, despite the weight of its subject matter, it’s still funny! What I love about Sojourn, is that I never know what to expect in terms of form, but I always know I will walk away having a stronger sense of what it means to be human and to live in community with other people. And this absolutely applies to Throwing Bones.
Yes, the narratives deal with illness and mortality, but to reduce the play to "people die" as Guyon does is a shallow reading. I took two of the central questions to be, "What is the connection between the health of a nation and the health of its people?" also "What role does belief play in healing?"
I agree with Guyon that the space was limiting, however that's not a reason to stay away. The performances are strong, especially Victor Mack, and the live drumming and dance bring this piece a more intense physicality than I've seen before from Sojourn.
This felt much less substantial than past Sojourn shows.
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