New York Review: HERE Presents Le Théâtre de l'Entrouvert’s “Anywhere”
Natalie Rine, Associate New York Critic
It is not a new idea for theatrical works to seek gravitas by basing themselves on some transcendentally important literary figure, more often than not one of the Greek classical variety. Now running as part of HERE’s Dream Music Puppetry Program, we have Le Théâtre de l'Entrouvert’s “Anywhere,” based on the epic contemporary novel Oedipus on the Road by Henry Bauchau. It features Sophocles’s Oedipus imagined mid-route between the events of his return to Thebes in Oedipus Rex and his latter days in Oedipus at Colonus. He and daughter Antigone spend years journeying together since Oedipus is disgraced and unwelcome to return to Thebes after the aftermath of his true identity is revealed. As he makes his way into exile in the company of his daughter, the blinded Theban king of this production is shrouded in something beyond just his usual hubris; the Oedipus of “Anywhere” is a minuscule ice puppet.
The impression of “Anywhere” is that of an antiquated beauty, heightened by the striking theatricality of watching our ice protagonist melt before our eyes as he journeys seemingly endlessly in circles. Led, caressed, and sheltered by a tragically weary daughter whose pleas we hear in French narration, Oedipus journeys silent, steady, and resilient despite being literally worn away over time. The inclusion of our ice hero’s natural opposite element, fire, in moments of guiding candles and steam could serve to be heightened for clearly potency on our characters’ otherwise static trek. Interest builds, however, with the aid of gorgeous recorded music underscoring each step Antigone takes to shadow her ailing father, creating a melodically and dynamically compelling background where we feel the struggle and inevitable highs and lows of supporting an aging parent. And here we see those highs and lows beautifully sprawled before us as Oedipus swings, soars, wavers, and falls repeatedly in a dazzling display of marionette marvels. With each stumble and strength, the score appears to function like the kind of film music which is adhesively faithful to text and action. In this case, with only overheard and read narration, the music becomes an additional character, aiding in otherwise lacking clear characterization and giving the impression of a continuous recitative.
The ultimate takeaway of “Anywhere” is in its overt, monotonous commentary on one’s never-ending roaming. The constant motion of the piece is within what is described as an “infinite circle of renewal,” a literal circle of steppingstones Antigone carries Oedipus around on, but also symbolic of life (or water) cycles as it becomes slippery despite perseverance to keep going. To get a larger sense of the epic scale of story that the music seems to furnish, I longed for a larger catharsis between father and daughter, an acknowledgment of their journey together rather than seeming like separate pendulums bobbing alongside each other. Oedipus seems to be walking toward a hoped-for revival of sorts, to take sips from an ocean of forgiveness after dipping in and out of consciousness on the fifty-minute walk we observe. But each of our characters’ journeys seem isolated despite being in such proximity; Oedipus is buoyed by his steadfast daughter, but it is difficult to forge an emotional release with a block of ice. Their static repetition of foot after foot only breaks from monotony when an ice chunk falls or one of them slips, proof perhaps of my own and humanity’s keenness for watching another’s fallacy as entertainment.
At the end of everything though, “Anywhere” finds sophistication in its simplicity, a quiet, unsettling beauty about humanity’s unwavering ability to keep moving forward, one foot in front of the other, no matter how challenging the walk.
HERE Presents Le Théâtre de l'Entrouvert’s “Anywhere”
“Anywhere,” based on the novel “Œdipe sur la route” by Henry Bauchau, has conception and scenic design by Elise Vigneron. Directed by and featuring Elise Vigneron and Hélène Barreau. Production team includes lighting design by Thibaut Boislève; stage management and sound engineering by Corentin Abeille; dramaturgy by Benoît Vreux; consultant Uta Gebert; and recorded music by Pascal Charrier (guitar), Robin Fincker (saxophone), Sylvain Darrifourcq (drums), Julien Tamisier (keys), Franck Lamiot (sound engineer). Produced by Julie Le Corre and Lola Goret.
Five performances of “Anywhere” will take place March 11-14 at HERE Arts Center (145 Sixth Avenue, Manhattan) with performances Wednesday - Saturday at 8:30pm and Sunday at 4pm. Tickets, priced at $25–$45, can be purchased by visiting here.org or by calling 212-352-3101. In person sales at the box office after 5pm only on performance days and two hours prior to curtain for matinees. For Group Sales, contact tickets@here.org. Run Time: 50 min with talk-back to follow each performance.
“Anywhere” is appropriate for patrons 10-years-old and over.
Photo Credit: Vincent Beaume