C ARTS, C Venues, C aurora, Lauriston Halls
An over-complicated production and muddled execution of the story of the Lipote tree and its relevance to the interconnected networks of the rainforests. summary
Rating
Ok
As you enter the performance space white text is illuminated against the black curtain at the back of the stage. Sadly, the combination of curtain folds and a poor choice of font size and colour means it is extremely difficult to read. Well, I couldn’t. So I really don’t; know its purpose. And that sums up this performance of Lipote: An Interconnected Journey: good intentions but a muddled execution.
This illegible writing is replaced with a “Chapter 1” heading. Helpfully this is both clearer in size and colour although a squint and lean forward is still required for a comprehensive understanding. It describes what is about to happen. Several dancers then enter the stage dressed in black covered in markings that show up under ultraviolet light and they wind long strips of fabric, also ultraviolet, over and amongst themselves. I think they represent mycorrhizal networks, the means by which trees share nutrients and water to send distress signals about drought, and disease, or insect attacks. A conductor then signals the start of the music and the dancers start opera singing. The words being sung are also flashed up on the back curtain behind. Useful though this is for accessibility, it does rather emphasise that the information we are receiving is being repeated. Several times and in several ways. Then the conductor moves to a narrator role, but sadly the music is too loud and his words are drowned out.
The subject matter here has obviously been well researched and has timely relevance in explaining the interconnectivity of various species in the rainforest along with their destruction through climate change and human intervention. Sadly, good intent does not guarantee effective execution and this is a production that is over complicated. The choice of opera has potential, its dramatic tone empathising with the importance of the subject matter whilst being unusual enough to attract attention. Unfortunately the ultraviolet-clad dancers and bizarre props appear amateurish. The narration is unnecessary: the words of the singers and their written translation at the back of the stage already fill that role.
It is also too long. Each of the seven chapters of the story are spent repeating two or three sentences again and again. In writing, in dance and in song.
This is a concept and subject matter that have great potential, but a reduction of the chosen methods of performance are essential. Not to mention the necessity of a thorough check of whether something can be seen and heard by members of the audience. Before the audience sit down.
Produced by: Shaky Crown
Lipote: An Interconnected Journey plays at EdFringe until 18 August. Further information and bookings can be found here.
