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If you are looking for a production that leaps into irrationality, look no further than the Vesturport Theatre and Reykjavik City Theatre’s collaboration of Georg Büchner’s Woyzeck (originally written in 1836). This adaptation was presented at the Brooklyn Academy of Music, better know as BAM, for three days this October. Franz Woyzeck, played by Ingvar E. Sigurdsson, is a man that has lost touch with reality. Pressure from various forces has plunged him deep inside his own private universe. The entire production consists of the conflicts between Woyzeck’s mind and the outside world.
There are major differences between the original play and this new interpretation directed and adapted by Gísli Örn Gardarsson. Woyzeck’s child with his love interest Marie, played by Nina Dögg Filippusdóttir, is nowhere in sight. Instead of working in the army, Woyzeck works in a water factory. The interaction between characters takes place mainly in or around a pool, which serves as the foreground to the stage designed by Börkur Jonsson.
The introduction of the Drum Major (played by Björn Hlynur Haraldsson), Marie’s secret lover, involves a bungee cord. It was made even more outrageous by the sound of loud, booming drums. The rock music, composed by Nick Cave and Warren Ellis, accompanied by the guitar chords gave me a headache for the entire segment.
Aside from the unnecessary props and special effects that do nothing to enhance the experience of watching the production but actually deter it, Woyzeck was heartfelt and emotional. It depicts a suffocating relationship between a man and a woman. Although they are bound by deep affection for each other, they do not see the world in a similar fashion. Franz Woyzeck is not a rich man, but he loves Marie dearly. He exposed himself to violent experiments for money and uses some of it to buy her a dress that looked a bit too much like the one Snow White wore in the cartoon. (Perhaps costume designer Filippiá Elisdóttir borrowed it from a live action version of Snow White and the Seven Dwarves in Disney World.) Despite the fact that Woyzeck tries to make Marie feel like his princess, she does not love him as much as he loves her. This leads to the ultimate fate for the both of them.
Besides being deaf for a good amount of time, I was also blinded by the light that shines onto the audience whenever a cast member was in the air. The lighting, designed by Lárus Björnsson, could have served as a visual aid, but instead, it caused visual impairment. Not only was the white light far too bright, but it was also shining far too long and occurred far too often. While I understand that the use of light may serve to emphasize the intensity and weight of the production, I did not need a bright light in my eyes every ten minutes.
This new adaptation of Woyzeck occurs in an intangible reality, where things are flying from all directions and many things are happening at the same time. There is an odd beauty to it that begs people to discuss it. Right after the production, I overheard a conversation. “I don’t think anyone would have understood this if they did not read the play first,” said a woman to her friend, and I thought to myself “I did not understand this production even though I read the play!” I would have joined the two ladies, but I was too busy trying to walk straight after losing my ability to see properly.
Woyzeck was presented as part of the BAM 2008 Wave Festival. Its three performances were shown in the BAM Howard Opera House on October 15th, 17th, and 18th.
Carissa Dech
I believe that John Martin was too harsh on the way he puts classic dance down and praises modern dance. As these are two different styles of dance, I feel that Martin was too biased in his review. My question for John Martin is: Don’t you think that people have the right to favor one thing over another without being criticized by someone else? Do you really think modern dance is better than classic dancing and not just different?
This past Wednesday I along with several classmates visited the MET to see J.M. W. Turner’s works. Personally, I do not posses a great appreciation for paintings. Regardless, here were my impressions on the paintings I observed. Firstly, “The Shipwreck” portrayed the strength of the sea against man. I particularly enjoyed how Turner used shading to set an overcast type background, and how he used white blotches to represent the crashing waves. “Norham Castle Sunrise” wasn’t anything speacial in my opinion. However, the cows on the water kept grabbing my attention…I’m not sure why. “Sunrise with Seamonsters” was one of my favorites of the day. Athough it was an unfinished painting I liked how the obscurity of the picture as a whole magnified the subtleness of the seamonster’s face. “Snow Storm” had a similar feel to “The Shipwreck” as well as “Disaster at Sea” in that it portayed Mother Nature’s power over man. “The Burning of the House of Lords and Commons” once again reiterated Turner’s feelings about the force of nature over man. I would just like to say that in this painting I liked how Turner used lighter colors. In “The Battle of Trafalgar” besides for Turner displaying destruction again I liked how he offset it with the majesty of that central ship. I had a similar feel when i saw “The Field of Waterloo.” Here Turner once again portrtays a beaten group of people however, he paints a lone ray of sun shining through the cloud of smoke and ash; possibly symbolizing hope. Lastly, I enjoyed “Morttlake Terrace” moreso than the other’s because it portrayed a much more serene image. The details were very fine and I thought it was a nice change of pace to see this painting after all his other more somber works.
~~~Morris Dabbah
1. The Shipwreck, 1805
I see Turner using light to focus in on the shipwreck. The darkness of the colors are indicating doom. The white tips of the waves bring focus in on the center of the painting.
2.Fisherman at Sea, 1796
This painting depicts beautiful moonight imagery. Turner uses a nice blending of colors to make a break in the clouds. I like his use of light colors to accentuate the lantern and its warmth and glow.
3. Kilchurn Castle, Scotland, with a Rainbow
I like how at first glance the rainbow seems to be made of many colors, yet at second glance Turner really only uses one primary color (white) to create light and the different shades of the rainbow.
4. Temple of Jupiter Panellenius, Restored
It is paradoxical that Turner actually uses dark colors to make things seem transparent. The lighter colors make the distance seem farther and the temple is made ethereal.
5. Snowstorm, 1842
I see the sun through the darkness of the waves. The waves are powerful; overtaking the sun. There is a sharply defined contrast between light and dark.
6.Norham Castle at Sunrise, 1845
I really enjoy the soft light emitted through the painting, almost making invisibility a strong factor.
7.The Field of Waterloo, 1818
This painting depicts amazing artistry. I see a burning structure. I see a white light cutting through the darkness and shining light upon the destruction. Turner’s use of reds to show bloodshed & war make a strong impact on me. I really like how you can’t make out the difference between the clouds and smoke. The baby in the center of the bodies seems inspirational. To me, it symbolizes hope & rebirth
8. The Battle of Trafalgar, 1806 and 1823-24
My first impression of this painting is that the color schemes Turner chose to use are alot lighter than his norm. I see turmoil and conflict, with the colors blurred to show chaos. Turner seems to be concentrating mode on the grandeur of the ships rather than the battle occurring on them.
9. The Decline of the Carthaginian Empire
Though this is a bleak scene, Turner is able to contrast it by using relatively light colors. This is a very beautiful painting. The water is amazing because it is the cause of destruction, yet it is so beautiful and serene.
10. Mortlake Terrace, 1827
I see the beautiful browns and greens Turner uses to show Autumn. I see the beautiful sunset and the calm water. The sunlight is glowing through the treetops and the landscape emits a countryside ambience. The landscape seems continuous. Overall, this is a very warm picture.
11. Disaster at Sea, 1833-35
This is a very abstract painting and the yellows at the top of it make it seem unfinished. Turner shows disaster by using a multitude of colors that normally wouldn’t blend well together. This un-harmonious blending of colors places emphasis on chaos. In this painting, the water seems to represent anger. I also see the people fused with the sea.
12. Sunrise with Sea Monsters, 1840-1845
I’m really confused about this painting because I can’t make out any monsters. All I see is a mass of colors and something that resembles a face.
13. The Burning of he House of Lords and Commons, 1835
I see the castle lit up, making it look almost illuminated by the fire. I can feel the heat emitting from the strength of the red colors Turner chooses to use. The reflection of flames in the water are painted beautifully. The men are helpless against the water.
I have always appreciated the beauty of art (actually, i fell in love with realism art in my senior year art history class), but Sunday’s experience at the Turner special exhibition at the MET was surreal. Initially, I got lost at the museum, but thanks to a few security guards and a wonderful young chap from France, i found my way. From the moment i walked in i was in awe. The giant painting at the entrance was my bait and i was quickly reeled in. What i noticed as i passed by all his paintings was that his themes were all mostly marine based. He had great use of colors and knew how to blend in the light and dark colors, which in many ways portrayed a sense of emotion coming out of the painting. It was as if a piece of history and action was sealed in with his paintings.
Turner was a powerful painter and yet it seemed like he painted these magnificent paintings with ease. Some of the paintings that i enjoyed were the Battle of Trafalgar, Disaster at Sea, and Sea Monsters they all had some sort of focal point. He brilliantely painted these painting so that there was an effect of actual light posed at the focal point. Moreover, i noticed that there were different levels of detail in his pictures. In other words, the buildings and architecture were superb in that they contained the most minute details, the people, on the other hand, had indiscernable faces. Most of the humans were portrayed almost faceless.
As Turner matured with age his paintings began to be shaped differently as well. Toward his later years i felt his paintings were more abstract. His hand was a medium that transposed his emotions and thoughts on to a piece of canvas and he did that wonderfully. I really enjoyed his exhibition and it inspired me to want to go to the MET more often and even start to paint. Although the latter might just be a dream.
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