Art that moved me
Rating: 4
Dark Play or Stories for Boys
Relevance Productions
I went into this production knowing nothing about the content. Literally. As my partner and I got in the car to go to the performance I asked, "So what is this play about?" "No idea." But we had a friend in the cast and had RSVP'd on Facebook, so off to Fringe Central we went.
I believe that the space is usually utilized for art galleries or receptions, but it did lend itself quite nicely to a theatre set-up. Based on the set, program and the warning of nudity in the lobby, we began trying to figure out the plot. I know that Dark Play was an old theatre training game. The starkness of the set, a few platforms and 'desks' set up with computer keyboards, some stools upstage led us to the humorous (though wrong) assumption that the play would be about chat roulette.
The play was actually a very carefully crafted character study of perception and truth, gullibility and deceit. The characters created on-stage, even those with just funny one-liners seemed to be fully crafted and three dimensional. I believed them.
There were some technical things that drew me out of the story, the sound quality on the pre-recorded voices was a little muddled and felt rushed, but it did cover the scene changes. The play, as well as the space could benefit from a few more lighting instruments. Overall, I liked the lack of set as being in a virtual world of the teenager's chat rooms.
I didn't really feel that the full nudity was necessary, but it was not gratuitous.
I felt compelled and engaged during the show. So much so that upon returning to work on Monday I Googled the show and ultimately found the true story the play was based on. SO not only did I find the show to be a well done piece of art, but it made me think and question things later.
I'm intrigued to see what Relevance Productions brings us next.
Read the review at KC Stage
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