The Wasteland

Theatre Asylum Lab as part of the Hollywood Fringe Festival

Reviewed by Lovell Estell III, courtesy of L.A. Weekly

June 22, 2010


Nothing is simple about T.S. Eliot's seminal modernist poem, and co-directors Hilario Saavedra, Jason Bonduris, Celeste Den, Tane Kawasaki and Carla Nassy use it as inspiration for a provocative performance piece. The troupe employs dance, spoken word and simple objects (lights, glasses) and the beating of a drum to create stark images while reciting sections of the poem. Themes of death, infirmity and impotence are common throughout, which Saavedra and his darkly clad actors capture with subtle force. The section titled "Death By Water," is especially powerful, where a flurry of balloons, representing water drops, is unleashed onstage.

Theatre Asylum Lab, 6320 Santa Monica Blvd., L.A.; Tues. 2:30, Wed., 7 p.m.; Sat., 1 & 10:30 p.m.; thru June 26.
 

 
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