VISCHMARKT TEATER Toy theatre Company has already been briefly
written about in our Newsletter by Laurie Webb but the presentation
does really deserve to be seen to fortify the opinion that it is a real
piece of modern theatre. It raises itself above the usual visually
direct style of Faust in the toy theatre in that the images
of the Faust Drama are here in oblique reference. Perhaps it is advisable
that one is acquainted with the Faust plot in order to be
fully immersed. I would say that here we have more of the concrete
Damnation
of Faust by Berlioz than the velvety Gounod to citc
two existing opera creations. Do not expect the familiar operatic
convention of sung parts and yet the piece has operatic relationships in
that the music enhances the drama. The musical accompaniment is a
wonder in itself. By being composed and then purposely distorted
by computer we feel additionally bound and strongly pulled within the tragic
plot. It was Jaques Tati who recognized more than most that
in the Cinema a selective background sound whether farmyard, street or
music caused the visual images to glue. The music here does indeed
glue and casts its magic. It is not the cliched compositions used
in horror films but instead is itself an important elemental motif in guiding
us. The set and figure designs are excellent and move theatrically,
seemingly under the spell cast by this strange, eerie and yet beautiful
music.