Comments for FIU World Theatre Studies

Comment on Manny’s take on Wonderful Circus by Rob

Rob — Tue, 17 Jul 2007 12:19:33 +0000

I too preferred the second act. It added so much more to the production. The first act seemed very one-note. I still enjoyed it, but the variety of the second half was very welcome.

I think our jaded modern existence aids our perception of Wonderful Circus as “novelty schlock” or hokey or corny or even touristy. It takes a lot to impress a modern audience now, what, with films being able to accomplish pretty much anything they want to accomplish. There is increasingly no surprise out there in entertainment. Like International or Constructivist style architecture, it helps to look at the production in the context of its times.

Comment on Svoboda’s Wonderful Circus by Rob

Rob — Tue, 17 Jul 2007 12:13:26 +0000

The skilled direction speaks a lot about what you and (I think) Cari mentioned about always being guided where to look and never watching the background for too long. I wonder if the universal theme of the circus will become dated as well. You just don’t see the circus anymore. It used to be such a natural part of childhood but now, not so much.

Unfortunately Svoboda died in 2002, so any chance of working with him is gone. To my knowledge, the only ongoing productions of his are the ones at LM. It is a shame, since he also helped revolutionize “straight play” design as well.

Comment on What happened to the elephants?!?! by Rob

Rob — Tue, 17 Jul 2007 12:04:46 +0000

Perhaps you guys were looking for failure because you were aware of what a challenge it is to do something like that. Imagine the rehearsal time to get it all just right. Of course, this is also with a new cast every so often!

I liked the so-called “murderous” puppets. It was one of my favorite parts actually. Different strokes. . .

Comment on It was wonderful!!! by Rob

Rob — Tue, 17 Jul 2007 11:59:27 +0000

I think LM succeeds where Black Light sometimes fails. Conveying a story without language can be difficult. Think of all the things we saw where language was a factor in our being able to enjoy it or not being able to enjoy it. It makes one realize how much we rely on language. For communication we must find some common ground. This is usually verbal. I think it is worth exploring why Wonderful Circus was able to get a story across (if not a point) without relying on verbal communication and some other things (Alice, eg.) struggle.

Comment on Manny’s experience with deafness. by Rob

Rob — Tue, 17 Jul 2007 11:45:36 +0000

I like the analogy of the talk show. I wish you would expand on these thoughts though. . .

Comment on Great but freaking cold by Rob

Rob — Tue, 17 Jul 2007 11:42:46 +0000

I certainly like it when the lines between set and audience are blurred (though I hate forced audience participation). So, you still liked it despite all things? You weren’t the only one (only ALMOST the only one). I like that no one production has really unified the group in Like vs. Dislike.

Comment on Svoboda’s Wonderful Circus by Cari

Cari — Thu, 12 Jul 2007 17:33:10 +0000

I never thought of it like that. It was sort of like going back to childhood. What about the concept of the rose leading the seducer and therefore him leading the others’ destiny?

Comment on What happened to the elephants?!?! by Cari

Cari — Thu, 12 Jul 2007 17:30:30 +0000

I do agree with the imagination part. It takes a lot to come up with something like that and I’m sure rehearsals were fun. I too was expecting for someone to mess up the timing of the entrances and exits. I don’t think that’s good, that we were both waiting for failure. Interesting?!

Comment on Michelle’s Post by ladyglobetrotter

ladyglobetrotter — Sun, 08 Jul 2007 20:48:53 +0000

Sometimes I have a tendency to see things in a different perspective whether for obvious or not. Anyway, I would love to see more Czech theatre. Though the dancing wasn’t as sharp as broadway I still was able to enjoy the story.

Comment on It was wonderful!!! by ladyglobetrotter

ladyglobetrotter — Sun, 08 Jul 2007 20:45:22 +0000

I really would like to see more of his work. Now would La Turna Magika fall under a work in progress for Josef Svoboda?