WINGS OF DESIRE

From: "will stackman" profwlll@yahoo.com

Subject: Quicktake - "Wings of Desire" filmscript by Wim Wenders & Peter Handke

adapted by Gideon Lester & Dirkje Houtman

Date: Wed, Nov. 29, 10:43 PM

Quicktake on WINGS OF DESIRE

     Regular patrons of the ART won't be surprised to be sitting through another theatrical collage,again an effort with international overtones. In 100 minutes the ART and Toneelgroep Amsterdam wrestle with a disjointed adaptaion of the filmscript for Wim Wenders' 1987 film classic "Der Himmel uber Berlin" (released internationAlly as Wings of Desire). The show opens with two immortal beings aka "angels" atop a canteen trailer at an outdoor cafe, somewhere. Fine sand drifts down from the flies in thin streams, indicating the passage of eternity. Mam Smith, a fine aerilaist, periodically soars above the scene, much more angelic than the show's two angels dressed in black and white formal wear. Periodically, actors playing characters address the audience. The only one who really makes contact is Stephen Payne, playing the role of a former angel done by Peter Falk in the original film. Loud rock music played live by Jesse Lenat and Hadewych Minis adds to the mix, especially as the action winds up. (Ear plugs might be a good idea.)

     The production is an interesting set of glosses on the subject, but as live theatre, "Wings of Desire" just doesn't add up. There are a few memorable moments, but the text might as well have been done in Dutch most of the time, perhaps with the odd surtitle. Robin Young's presence as The Newsreader adds little except brief local recognition. The ideas behind the adaptation have potential but lack of follow-through, of any real attempt to deal with the diviseness in today's world, make for sterile theatrical experimentalism. It's as if every "why don't we?" thought of during its creation was tossed in, like the colorful furniture in the finale, without ever asking "Why?"

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"Wings of Desire" by Wenders & Handke, Nov. 25 - Dec. 17

American Repertory Theatre & Toneelgroep Amsterdam at the Loeb

64 Brattle St, Harvard Sq. (617) 547 - 8300
American Repertory Theatre