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FeedMore than a "Trace" of life, from Torn Space Theater
Courtesy of Torn Space. Photo by Lukia Costello
Diane Gaidry and Andrew Kottler in Torn Space's "Trace," through Oct. 10.
Watching “Trace,” Dan Shanahan and Torn Space’s new production at the Adam Mickiewicz Dramatic Circle, my heart quickened from watching and listening to, essentially, white noise. That's a new one.
As directed and written by Shanahan, and with video and sound design by Brian Milbrand and Justin Rowland respectively, the piece is not so much a play as it is an abstract painting—a remarkably solid vision and meditation.
The 70-minute, intermission-less piece is plotless; “in the aftermath of destruction lie the traces of the past” is all the grounding writer/director Shanahan gives us. But it’s all we need.
The pure white set, by Greg Faust, is mysterious and cool. Its walls move silently, sometime menacingly; they go from opaque to seemingly solid, or are filled with Milbrand’s video work. The footage is beautiful; sometimes abstract patterns, pure static, which morph with stately purpose; sometimes, the image of the little girl, Hope (Mary Ann Jumale), skipping, walking, looking lost with her long arms hanging by her side. Her white dress and hair-bow contribute a melancholic touch.
A constant, modulating, low-level electronic tone, adds to the transporting atmosphere. Voiceovers of a few lines of Jim Carroll’s poetry are touchpoints for the action, such as it is.
There is an elemental feel to the production. The weight of several objects, a box or bags, dragged leaking across the stage. Spilled water, left in a puddle, flames licking up the walls. The very air in the room becomes part of the portent and tension.
An older man (Jon “Giovanni” Joy) appears behind a white scrim; he seems to be a victim, but he describes his treatment, there is almost a fondness or reverence there.
A woman and a man enact roles that they appear to have had for some time. What has happened? A child is missing. Who has her? Why? Can she be retrieved? As the unnamed woman, the subtle and expressive Diane Gaidry brings a delicacy to her performance. Buffalo newcomer Andrew Kottler, “Man,” is intense, projecting both his desire to protect the woman, and to understand what is happening.
But that won’t happen, not for him, and not for you. As Melissa Meola, assistant director of the piece, said after the performance, “the space tells the story,” and it isn’t giving a lot away.
The piece runs through October 10. See it, and brace yourself; Dan Shanahan and Torn Space are becoming a serious artistic force in this town.
Torn Space Theater
Adam Mieckiewicz Dramatic Circle
612 Fillmore Ave.
www.tornspacetheater.com
716.812.5733
