With 13 Helen Hayes Nominations this year,
Synetic Theater reinforces its presence as a performing force to be reckoned with. Sam and I caught this performance before dinner at a venue new to Synetic for this production, the Shakespeare Theatre Company's Landsburgh Theatre. Normally in residence at the Rosslyn Spectrum Theatre, with a once a year appearance at the Kennedy Center's Family Theater, "DC's premier physical theatre", has raised its profile with expanding its partnerships to include producing a show at Georgetown University with students from its Theatre program, and now its most recent work, Antony & Cleopatra, which just closed at the Shakespeare Theatre.Synetic Theater is the product of a dynamic husband and wife team, Paata Tsikurishvili (Artist Director and Founder) & Irini Tsikurishvili (Resident Choreographer and Founder). Founded in 2001. The name comes from combining elements of the words synthesis and kinetic, which pretty much describes a Synetic production, the merging of various elements with dynamic motion to create a whole new experience.
Now I didn't give Sam any background as to what to expect, as I didn't want to take away any of the wonder of experiencing a Synetic show for the first time, when you don't know anything about it. And fortunately Sam didn't do what the group behind us felt the need to do with the lack of text. Although these productions are in the minority, as most of their shows have text and dialogue of some kind, Antony & Cleopatra was done with just the score and the sound created by movement on stage. Therefore those sitting right behind us did what some tend to do when they don't know how to react and just take the experience in...they talked to each other and tried to explain what was going on during the show which, needless to say, was slightly distracting. At least wait until intermission, if not the end of the show, to clarify whatever you need to figure out.But I digress...
I won't bore you with too much, as this is not a review, merely my reaction. So on that note, I'll highlight some of the moments that stuck out most in my mind.
One is a scene where Cleopatra (performed by Irina), is showing her Roman visitors the map of the Mediterranean, as an offering. The map is made of 8 pieces held by ensemble members. At one point, she strikes the map and it shatters slightly, the pieces separating and off-angle. Another moment with the map has the 8 pieces (and ensemble) circling Antony & Cleopatra, producing a somewhat hypnotic effect, and an interesting visualization one might normally expect abstracted and visualized in a film.
This speaks to Paata's own training and background. He holds an MFA in Film Directing from Tbilisi State University and a BFA in Acting from State Institute of Theater and Film, Tbilisi, Georgia. The score and the story are very much highlighted by certain pictures and moments, with the transitions and dialogue effectively underscored and actualized through Irina's choreography.
Another moment ingrained in my memory is a pas de deux, of sorts, between Cleopatra and Antony (played by Ben Cunis), at the apex of the pyramid that is the centerpiece of the set, a set that could not exist in their residence space at the Rosslyn Spectrum. If sex looked as good as it felt (because we all know that there's a reason we keep the lights off at times, right?), it would've looked like the duet between Antony & Cleopatra.
One final moment (out of a night of moments, I might add), is one which Alex Mills owned as Cleopatra's right hand man, Mardian. In a moment of pure and simple genius, Alex in one flowing movement, sinks into the floor with his arms propping him up, forearms straight out, and suddenly embodies the sphinx. Again, it's just one of many moments, but one example of the precision in which Synetic finds both these moments to highlight, and joins them with fantastic movement whisking you from one to the next. All while including elements of sensuality that never gets obscene...well, unless it's on purpose, of course.
The rest of the cast is just as much of an asset, and is definitely part of the reason the Synetic has been nominated for the Helen Hayes Award for Outstanding Ensemble with at least one of its productions, every year since 2007. You can check out the exact history of Synetic's various nominations and awards here.
One final note...I'd never been to a show where the fire alarm went off before!! And it happened in the middle of one of Synetic's signature fight scenes. Before you know it the lights were on, the stage manager, was on the god mic, and the cast maintained is composure, exited the stage, and the audience existed the building as we waited for firetrucks to come and turn the alarm off.
As soon as we were back in our seats, without missing a beat, the actors took to the stage with applause from the audience. They started from the top of the fight scene and went on with the show.
Anyway, I'm going to stop there. Sorry for the rambling, and apologies for the tardiness. Will definitely try to stay up with not waiting too long, although it was only a week ago, so I guess it's not that bad. Definitely will try to see their next production, Metamorphosis.
If you didn't get to see Antony & Cleopatra, you can at least watch the trailer at Synetic Theater's YouTube channel.
Here's some other media outlets, with actual reviews:
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