Review of In On It
The production of In On It contains three separate yet intertwined plots. The first story introduced is one of man who is dying of an incurable disease and whose marriage is on the verge of divorce. Next comes the post-modern story of two actors quarreling over the best way to act out the play they wrote. Additionally there is a story of gay lovers reminiscing about their past and putting an effort to make their relationship succeed. The transitions between stories are easily facilitated through the use of set design, lighting, and acting. Throughout the majority of the play there are only blocks of light shone directly on the actors, leaving the stage and surrounding environment completely black. This leaves a trace o . . .
Despite relief from a few comic scenes, the general mood of this play was more dramatic, reminding us constantly that death and loss are major parts of life. I thoroughly enjoyed this play and thought the director did a great job of matching the many theatrical elements to the content of the story. Switching between characters is done simply by the actors being illuminated in a different light, and maybe changing posture or tone of voice. All characters were played so well and seemingly without effort that I felt their emotions as I was watching. I enjoyed the use of light tremendously. These motifs are seen obviously through the ill man who loses his family, health, and ultimately his life through the car crash. The struggle for meaning is a central theme in the play, and the directing certainly reflects that. The narrative form helps the audience to relate to the characters in this way and gives the story cohesiveness. I thought it was remarkable how the actors, music, and lighting were all synchronized as if it had been edited on film. For example no one, including myself, could help but laugh at the dance sequences, or keep from feeling compassion towards the terminally ill fellow. We also see loss when the two gay men struggle to find out what they still see in each other, and how the actors can not agree on a certain way to portray a character. f ambiguity as to where the scene is taking place, and involves the audience in allowing them to use their imagination. The director did a good job in making the audience feel different emotions at different times. In this way scene changes are believable and can take place in an instant when cued by the lighting or the actors.
Common topics in this essay:
, director job, |