NEW YORK TIMES November 26, 2003

Theater in Review

Electronics and Athletics Transform an Ancient Epic
'Ramayana 2K3'
La MaMa E.T.C.

There is an occasional
stretch of incoherence but plenty to dazzle the eye and ear
in "Ramayana 2K3," a telling of the Ramayana epic from
South Asia that uses acrobats, shadow puppets,
electronically enhanced voices, some frightening video and
assorted other energetic tricks.

The production, billed as "an electronica dance drama in
two acts," is by the performance troupe Fabulous Monsters,
and the group uses everything in its arsenal. The ancient
story tells of Rama, an incarnation of the Hindu god
Vishnu, who after a complicated banishment battles to
rescue his love, Princess Sita, when she is kidnapped.

The tale is portrayed in pantomime by many athletic actors,
with the voices, provided unseen by another 15 performers,
coming loud and evocatively through a sound system. Robert
A. Prior wrote this version (as well as directing),
condensing a long and complex tale, not always
successfully. But the presentation holds the interest.

Rich Welmers, as Rama, makes a compelling presence, helped
by some luminescent face paint. Sita, rendered alluringly
by Anahata, ends up in a highly choreographed demon world
that no princess should have to endure. Tumbling,
rope-swinging and a climactic battle that has some actors
on stilts are impressively choreographed by Stephen Hues.

When it's all over, you may not know quite what you have
seen or why the story is held so dear by so many, but at
least you'll know you've seen a lot.

(NEIL GENZLINGER)

　

Back