Synetic Theater is beginning their new season with a water-filled production of ‘The Tempest.’ So the ignite the late afternoon crowd at the Kennedy Center’s Page-to-Stage on Sunday, Synetic gave a taste of the production, minus the water. The Millenium Stage was dry, but through the company’s movement-based work, you could see the water in your mind’s eye.
. . . these tantalizing glimpses promised the energy, joy and sheer brilliant madness inherent in their work.
Synetic expertly presented several scenes from this wordless version of Shakespeare’s magic realism play. One interesting change that the company has made is to change Prospero to Prospera, and the role will be played by the company co-founder and choreographer, Irina Tsikurishvili.
The scenes included the freeing of Ariel, the meeting of Miranda and Ferdinand, the immediate aftermath of the shipwreck, a very funny three buffoons plotting, and a joyous wedding dance.
Even if not done in water as it will be in the Synetic home space in Crystal City, these tantalizing glimpses promised the energy, joy and sheer brilliant madness inherent in their work.
Prior to that, long-time Synetic company member Alex Mills had led a workshop class on stage showing how they develop movement and practice. It included dance, weapons work, gymnastics and acrobatics. It gave the audience new respect for the marriage of physically, endurance and poetry needed to pull off these works.
