Jordan Wright
May 20, 2019
Alex Mills as Richard iii ~ Photo Credit Brittany Diliberto
Artistic Director Paata Tsikurishvili calls this Richard iii “the most challenging production ever.” That may well be an understatement, because since the company’s inception nearly 20 years ago, they have consistently broken ranks with theatrical stereotypes through their uniquely unparalleled, highly creative productions. For his vision of Shakespeare’s Richard iii (note the lower case “I”), Tsikurishvili returns to the company’s “wordless Shakespeare”.
Richard iii ~ Photo Credit Brittany Diliberto
It is the fourteenth they have employed this silent technique to ground-breaking effect and the first time it has been used to create a new story-telling style wherein disembodied voices occasionally speak by video projection grounding the plot by illustrating certain important moments. Magnified by a powerful surround sound system to background Richard’s murderous reign, this production becomes a virtual, multi-media, full-on techno experience that is eerily bloodless.
Richard iii ~ Photo Credit Brittany Diliberto
After a serious battle injury and subsequent reconstruction, Richard accustoms himself to his new cyber body by using controls implanted into his robotic arm. Using digital combat technology, he is able to kill his victims (all thirteen of them) by projecting them onto giant touchscreens where he can then drag and drop their images effectively vaporizing them. I’ll skip the plot synopsis, that’s what CliffsNotes are for, but you can easily follow through the continuous video projections, as well as the performers’ interactions that show Richard evolving into the cruel, soulless monster he has been programmed to be.
Irina Tsikurishvili as Queen Elizabeth ~ Photo Credit Brittany Diliberto
Emotionally disconnected, his Orwellian rampage continues. No one is spared – not his cohorts, nor his royal family. “Deformed, unfinished… I am determined to prove a villain,” he asserts. In Tsikurishvili’s futuristic world of cyborgs, zombies and warrior droids, Richard is a far more efficient killer than Shakespeare could ever have imagined.
The transformation of King Richard ~ Photo Credit Brittany Diliberto
As we have come to expect from this Georgian troupe’s dazzling performances, there are mind-blowing displays of sheer physicality, intricately choreographed dances, gravity-defying fights, touches of wry humor (the Duke of Buckingham vapes pot), as well as classic pantomime. Award-worthy performances by Alex Mills as Richard, Phillip Fletcher as King Edward and Irina Tsikurishvili as Queen Elizabeth.
Artistically brilliant, visually riveting and provocative. A five-star production with a flawless cast.
With Matt R. Stover as Buckingham, Maryam Najafzada as Lady Anne, Thomas Beheler as Clarence, Jordan Clark Halsey as Richmond, Tim Proudkii as Prince, Aaron Kan as Younger Prince, Nutsa Tediashvili as Princess Elizabeth, Ana Tsikurishvili as Tyrell, Scean Aaron as Ratcliffe.
Directed by Paata Tsikurishvili, Choreography by Irina Tsikurishvili, Resident Composer Konstantine Lortkipanidze, Scenic and Multimedia Design by Tennessee Dixon, Adapted by Nathan Weinberger, Lighting Design by Brian S. Allard, Costume Designs by Erik Teague, Sound Design by Thomas Sowers, Video Producer & Editor Scott Brown.
Through June 16th at Synetic Theater, 1800 South Bell Street, Arlington, VA in Crystal City. For tickets and information call 800.494.8497 or visit www.synetictheater.org.