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OffOffOnline: Into the Strata Digging in the
Dark reviewed July 12, 2006
continued...
Each layer of the earth gets detailed treatment, and the entire piece is
underscored by a charged mix of dynamic music and stunning projections. The
sounds range from natural (birds singing, thunder, and wind) to electronic
(thumping bass and new age arrangements). The multicolored projections are
especially effective when juxtaposed with the performers, who come together
to mimic their kaleidoscopic shapes in the "Outer Core."
But the show's most breathtaking moment, the "Lithosphere/Magma Rising"
section, does not rely heavily on special effects. As two slim sheets of crimson
fabric unfurl from the ceiling to the floor, a young woman climbs them, wrapping
herself within the cloth to create a complex pattern as she performs daring
acrobatics midair. The "Inner Core/Orb" is also a highlight, as
the six dancers crawl into a hollow orb suspended from the ceiling. The sphere
spins as they move within, through, and around it, creating a captivating
blend of object and bodies.
Two clown-like characters (in institutional-looking jackets bound by multiple
belts) provide humorous entertainment in short scenes between the dance sections.
The man juggles admirably while the woman, wearing an LED headpiece with huge
megaphone-shaped cups extending from her ears, pokes fun at him while listening
attentively to the ground. (The earpieces change colors based on the angle
of her head, an impressive prop.)
While a few of Lomask's inventions feel a bit too lengthy at times, it's hard
to complain when a production brims with such energetic staging and fierce,
committed performances. Capacitor's Digging in the Dark is a visual treat
as well as a fascinating study in aligning the movement of bodies with the
movement of natural forces. Resonating from an earthquake that took place
100 years ago, this is a powerful aftershock. (Amy Krivohlavek)
