[20040025] The Return

The Return

Theater Company Nottle @ Eclipse

5:15pm, Tue 24 Feb 2004

Score: 9

Short Review: Bleakly comic

The first thing that struck me about this South Korean company’s production was the lighting. It was absolutely superb throughout; the use of shadow was fabulous, and it demonstrated what is possible in a makeshift venue such as Eclipse. Music was also magnificent, creating an initially bleak mood, and controlling that mood over the duration.

The performances are wonderful: from the beginning of the show, we are treated to the wandering, the dispossessed, with the five principals generating an encompassing feeling of an underclass. The sparse Korean dialogue requires most communication to be done with facial expressions – and what expressive faces! Truly wondrous acting.

In all, a great piece of physical theater. Nottle are to be applauded for bringing their company, and this show, to our shores.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *