Chicago Shakespeare Theater welcomes the internationally acclaimed Kneehigh’s TRISTAN & YSEULT to its World Stage Series.
Wagner’s “Tristan & Isolde,” is a passionate operatic masterpiece. I’ve seen it. Kneehigh’s TRISTAN & YSEULT is an amorous timeless epic. I’ve experienced it. The troupe hailing from Cornwall, England grounds this classic in love on all levels. Through a multi-faceted approach, Kneehigh explores feelings from all-consuming to unconditional to obsessive to true love. Their approach is both comedic and dramatic, musical and action-packed, lusty and vicious, playful and serious. They balance between all these extremes for a dynamic tribute to the loved and unloved.
The ensemble arrives in the theatre clad in matching raincoats, hoods, glasses and binoculars. A few peel off and take their positions in the band. The others interact with the audience murmuring about their search of love. It’s goofy and adorable. At the beginning of the show, we learn they are all part of the Club of the Unloved. They are resigned to their loveless existence. And looking like a group of birdwatchers, they are on a quest to spot the rare sighting of true love. Within this world inhabited by the geeky unloved squad, Carly Bwaden (whitehands) walks in. Bwaden, dressed in early Jackie O chic, is greeted with admiration.
The outstanding, both in appearance and abilities, Bwaden serves as narrator singing and chronicling the story of Tristan and Yseult. Throughout the show as others deliver poetic prose, Bwaden drops surly bombs of sensibility. Her commentary is both hysterical and disquieting. Her reflection on what happens after the love potion wears off is just profound.
Adapter and Director Emma Rice is a masterful storyteller. Rice skillfully intertwines humor into a series of betrayals. Initially, Craig Johnson (Brangian/Morholt) brutally assaults the Kingdom of Cornwall. Later, Johnson is an innocent maiden duped into losing her innocence. In both roles, the versatile Johnson kicks up the funny with an Irish jig or an ongoing entrance via trampoline. The physicality in this show is marveling. The fighting is evil. The dancing is energetic. And the wooing is erotic. The movement is mesmerizing as men are slain and passions are unbridled. The ship scene between Andrew Durand (Tristan) and Etta Murfitt (Yseult) starts with defiant drinking and explodes into unrestrained ecstasy. Rice shows the release of inhibitions with aerial stunts. It’s transfixing.
TRISTAN & YSEULT is an amazing spectacle. Music Director Ian Ross keeps the tempo and tune perfect for the different scenes. It sounds like Wagner meets the blues with a side of be-bop. And visually, the show is a stunner. Designer Bill Mitchell creates this industrial and functional framework for the story. The bare bones scenery allows the costumes, the movements, and the sublime ensemble to fill the stage with human vibrancy. The ongoing emotional entanglements are connectable. Every loving and unloving memory of our own search for true love reflects back from the stage in a heartfelt, heart-tugging and heartbreaking way. We become honorary members of the Club of the Unloved. And despite what the ensemble proclaims I find the geek squad and their show completely lovable! LOVED it! To feel the love, get tickets ASAP!
Running Time: Two hours and ten minutes includes an intermission.
At Chicago Shakespeare Theater on Navy Pier, 800 E. Grand
Based on the opera by Richard Wagner
Written by Carl Grose and Anna Maria Murphy
Adapted and directed by Emma Rice
Music direction by Ian Ross
Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, Fridays at 7:30pm
Saturdays at 3pm and 8pm
Sundays at 3pm
Thru April 13th
Buy Tickets at www.chicagoshakes.com
Production photo by Heidi Bohnenkamp