Samurai 7.0
Subject: Quicktake - "Samurai 7.0 - under construction" by Beau Jest
Date: Sat, June 10, 10:55 PM
Quicktake on SAMURAI 7.0
Every thing old is new again--or something like that. Beau Jest, a movement theatre back in Boston after seven years, brings the experience of its varied members, who began working together in 1984, to its latest project. "Samurai 7.0" somewhat ruefully subtitled "under construction" is a theatrical collage built around the storyline of Kurosawa's epic tale of a village's battle against bandits. Having been refused permission to adapt the original, the group widened their horizons to include the Hollywood blockbuster "The Magnificent Seven," based of course on the Japanese original, which itself had been inspired by movie westerns, plus the unlikely movie musical, "Seven Brides for...." But being Beau Jest, additional cultural references to seven began to intrude, such as Disney's Seven Dwarves, followed by the six rude mechanicals, Shakespeare's Henry V, etc. The result is "cinematic theatre," similar to that practiced by Rough & Tumble or Pilgrim, but with BJ's own particular comic sense, which in this case meshes very well with Kurosawa's Zen impulses. The existential tragedy of the farmers, the warriors, and the bandits trapped in a static dysfunctional society continues to resonate in the daily news, which doesn't have to be directly referenced to be relevant.
The eight members of the ensemble, Larry Coen, Robert Deveau, Elyse Garfinkel, Jordan Harrison, Scott Raker, Davis Robinson, Robin JaVonne Smith and Lisa Tucker play the seven, morphing into the villagers, the marauders, and the scenery. Five are past company members--four appeared in their awardwinning "Krazy Kat" (1995)-- and the other three are Bowdoin graduates who've studied with Robinson there. His innovative direction creates a physical framework for the action, which is supported by Judy Gailen's scenic imagination, which used projected surtitles, symbolic props such as bamboo screens, giant fans, decorative fans, etc.--acquired at Crate & Barrel--along with simple puppets, shadow, rod, and toys provided by Libby Marcus. The cast wears simple color-coded pajama style costumes created by Seth Bodie, which range from Larry Coen's more traditional deep orange garb as the leader to very plain white wear for gangly Jordan Harrison who takes the Mifune role, named "Dopey" in this production. M.I.T.'s Karen Perlow puts the simple lighting available in Calderwood Rehearsal A through its paces to great effect. Composer Don Dinicola provides a soundscape which mixes traditional percussion, played by Tamora Gooding, with pop recordings and of course the "Magnificent Seven" theme (best known from Marlboro commercials). It's a whirlwind cultural stew with theatre at its heart, whose agenda is aesthetic and possibly philosophical, intended as stimulating entertainment. Welcome back.
"Samurai 7.0 - under construction" by Beau Jest, June 7 - 24
Beau Jest at Calderwood Rehearsal
BCA, 529 Tremont, (617) 933 - 8600
Beau Jest
posted by will at 11:33 AM
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