The Hammer
I have seen
The old gods go
And the new gods come.
Day by day
And year by year
The idols fall
And the idols rise.
Today
I worship the hammer.
We Are Pussy Riot or(everything is PR), a factual portrayal of “Pussy Riot” the Russian political activist
group, is in its second week of performances at Red Tape Theatre. This Highly
theatrical and informative play, performed in didactic style and
guerrilla performances form, challenges the audience members with an intentional
*hammer to encourage thinking instead of letting them sit back and be immersed
in emotions of the story.
In an anarchic and
chaotic opening scene, with a striking 1984 George Orwellian setting, the three
punk rock characters, Nadya, Katya and Masha re-enact an anti-establishment and
anti-patriarchal religion act, while singing in loud, fast-paced songs accompanied
by electric guitars, sharp-edged movements and short dialogue. Influenced by
the Riot Grrrl Movement, the young members of the Pussy Riot group try to
express their protest on crucial subjects such as: growing inequalities, social
injustice, poverty, corruption, bureaucracy, dictatorship and the absence of
true democracy. Their anarchism and propaganda gestures are their only
instrument to protest against the authorities and challenge the lethargic societies,
aiming to awaken the public to see glimpses of realities, challenging them to
think, to act and react.
The satirical language combined
with serious narration by Sergei, a professor of history gives the play a tinge
of docudrama which brings to mind a quick glimpse of “La Commune” by prominent
filmmaker Peter Watkins.
Kate Hendrickson, the director brought together a stylistic direction fitted with the nature of the play.The artistic use of
theatrical elements such as shadow puppetry, various physical actions, invasion
of bodies and lands, rape and giving birth scenes, work beautifully conveying
the thoughts behind the play on the essence of patriarchy and tyranny. Some
scenes reflect Chaplin’s the Great Dictator and others Federico Fellini’s Satyricon
where male authorities repeatedly and metaphorically come out of the women’s
wombs.
The real Pussy Riot group
considers itself a part of the global anti-capitalist movement, and their focus
is more on global economic inequality, women’s rights, LGBT rights and Trotskyist’s
theory of permanent revolution. My personal hope in the play was to see deeper aspects of
their activism to broaden the audiences’ perspective on broader issues. Their
outrage about imperial politics, their belief in radical feminism and economic equality which
bring crucial subjects to light and make the audience think globally
towards the world we live in.
A true theatre encourages
conversations among the audience as well as the actors, directors and
playwrights. It inspires them to do a deeper research on the truth and
experience the essence of actual process and tangible experience. This show truly does so.
I was immensely impressed
with the actors’ artistic talents and devotion to the show. Casey Chapman as Vladimir Putin is outstanding, resilient and realistic.
Emily Nichelson, Stephanie Shum, Anne Sovenneville Emilie Modaff and William Rose II, truly shine on the stage. Their performances range from great vocal presence, body movements to the energy and insight to engage with the audience. The production shows a strong collaboration and sincerity behind the scene and the ending is spectacular when the actors introduce themselves....
I highly recommend it.
I highly recommend it.
*Bertolt Brecht: “Art is
not a mirror to reflect the world, but a hammer with which to shape it.”
Red Tape Theatre
4546 N. Western Ave.
Chicago IL 60625
Chicago IL 60625
By: Barbara Hammond
Director: Kate Hendrickson
Cast: Dionne Addai, Casey Chapman*, Zoƫ DePreta*, Jalyn
Green, Nora King*, Emilie Modaff*, Emily Nichelson*, Alec Phan, Joseph Ramski*,
William Rose, Stephanie Shum*, Ann Sonneville*
Producer: Amrbose Cappuccio*
Artistic Director: Max Truax*
Stage Manager: Tara Malpass
Assistant Stage Manager: Alex Oparka
Production Assistant / Props Designer: Amelia Mroczkowski
Original Music Composed and Arranged by: Emilie Modaff*, Alec Phan
Movement Director: Charlotte Long*
Scenic Designer: Chris Popio
Costume Design: Rachel Sypniewski
Lighting Designer: David Goodman-Edberg
Sound Design: Steve Labedz*
Casting Director: Catherine Miller
Poster Design: Bridget Schultz*
Teaser Poster Design: Joseph Ramski*
Marketing Director: Casey Chapman*
Still Photos: Austin Oie*
Producer: Amrbose Cappuccio*
Artistic Director: Max Truax*
Stage Manager: Tara Malpass
Assistant Stage Manager: Alex Oparka
Production Assistant / Props Designer: Amelia Mroczkowski
Original Music Composed and Arranged by: Emilie Modaff*, Alec Phan
Movement Director: Charlotte Long*
Scenic Designer: Chris Popio
Costume Design: Rachel Sypniewski
Lighting Designer: David Goodman-Edberg
Sound Design: Steve Labedz*
Casting Director: Catherine Miller
Poster Design: Bridget Schultz*
Teaser Poster Design: Joseph Ramski*
Marketing Director: Casey Chapman*
Still Photos: Austin Oie*