Imago Theatre's Frogz
Silent Treatment at Emerson Majestic
By: Charles Giuliano - Jun 01, 2007
Frogz: Creation, design and direction, Carol Triffle and Jerry Mouawad, Original Music, Katie Griesar, Light Design, Jeff Forbes, Performers, Jonathan Godsey, Danielle Vermette, Leah James Abel, Rebecca Houlihan, Jonathan Howard, Cowboy Illustrations, George Smith.
The curtain raised to reveal three frogs. Two larger and one smaller. Nothing happened for the longest time. The suspense just built as there were snickers and titters from the audience and little giggles from the children. There was something very comic about how they just remained in that ridiculous frog position which must be very difficult for the human body. When they did start to cavort and move about it came as a great relief. There was also the concern of just what kind of evening and experience we were in for. The number of children in the audience made you think perhaps you were in for a kid show. You know, family entertainment. Later, during intermission, Astrid said that it was a shame we didn't come with children.
But as the show evolved we learned that Imago Theatre is much more than kid stuff. It is a brilliantly inventive and outrageous theatre group. Comparisons are readily made to Blue Man Group, or Cirque de Soleil, while in their great physical abilities I call to mind Pilobolus, or some other avant-garde dance group. In their combination of many elements from highly original costumes, to impossible stunts and movements, they tell wonderful little stories with great twists and surprise developments. Yes, it was a relatively mindless evening of theatre. There were no great insights to mull over. But we were every bit as amused and entertained as the three year olds howling and screaming at one or another outrageous sight gag or element of physical comedy.
The evening divided into two segments with intermission progresses as a series of skits and sketches each complete in itself but seamlessly progressing to a new theme. The most successful elements are anthropomorphic in which insects, frogs and penguins behave like absurd humans. Like the scene of Penguins playing a very predictable game of musical chairs made all the more comic for its subtle and unexpected variations on a very simple theme. There was a wonderfully imaginative scene involving something moving and flopping about in a large paper bag. And it was creepy scary when alligators with bright red eyes slithered about menacingly.
It was less magical, however, in sequences which involved dancers in unitards with masked hoods. The illusion was revealed when as a part of the "plot" their identity was revealed and we saw the actual faces of the performers. I really didn't want to know who they were I preferred them as anonymous creatures. But that is a quibble in an otherwise delightful performance.
They mix several genres and styles of theatre. The one person act of a wild west cowboy hinged on one trick. For a face there was a scroll of animated drawings which spelled out the saga of the character who gets stranded in the deserts, is ridden with heat and thirst, is saved by a drenching downpour, wanders into a saloon, gets involved with a lady of questionable virtue, which leads to a gunfight and his demise. Yes it all works but seems apart from the style and spirit of the rest of the show.
Last night was the debut of a new finale. It involved several performers with bow and arrow like devices. They appeared to be involved in some battle until suddenly they turned and fired paper streamers into the audience. It was beautiful and spectacular as the evening ended with the audience doused like a ticker tape parade for a national hero. Or, as Astrid observed, it is quite a mess for the theatre crew to clean up. As an irresistible souvenir she scooped up a hunk and stuck it in her purse.
Unfortunately the show is only in town for six performances. And the house was thin on opening night. So get the word out. And, yes, definitely keep the kids up past their bedtime.