REVIEW: Kidd Pivot – The Tempest Replica

This first UMS show kicked the season off with a bang. Kidd Pivot’s production, “Tempest Replica,” was one of the most beautiful performances I’ve ever seen. Robotic-like movements contrasted flowing gestures, moments existed where the characters appeared to roll across the stage, bouncing so quickly from lying down to standing up to lying down…etc. It was astounding. The staging of the performance was definitely the most impressive of any dance company I’d ever seen. They had a giant white screen that floated as a back drop to the play, upon which they were able to project words, quotations from the text, and act and scene numbers. Not only was it helpful, but it also created a blank slate before which the action of the play proceeded. It was incredible clever and oftentimes the screen would waver about, causing a sort of ripple effect which only served to make it look even cooler.
I think everyone would agree that the shipwreck scene at the beginning was the most impressive moment of the play, staging wise. The play began with a man folding paper-boats on stage, from the moment you entered the auditorium, he was hard at work. He passes one boat to the spirit Ariel, and demands “Shipwreck!” She hesitates, and then shoves the boat in her mouth as a crash sent shivers through the audience. Suddenly, the white, billowy curtain falls and an image of rain is projected in one corner while a man writhes below. Flashes of lightening light the stage, and behind the translucent curtain are three men dressed completely in white, white masks covering their faces, roll from one edge of the stage to another. I truly felt as if the entire stage were pitching and rocking about in the sea. It was immensely impressive.

I haven’t read the Tempest, but I was able to follow the storyline for the most part. It seemed to me that it was a story of creator vs. creation, in the same avenue of Frankenstein, honestly. Many of the characters were posed and prompted by Prospero, this god-like man who could create creatures out of thin air by magic. Many of his creatures either tried to kill him, run away, or both. One of the final scenes had me a little lost because it showed three white-masked figures following the steps of Prospero, and I thought it symbolized the whole repetitive cycle of this man’s life: creates, wishes to destroy, beings too powerful, creature in control, he creates his own creation…etc. Or it could have been a way for the narrator to look back upon the events of his life, retrospectively wishing for a different life. It was thought-provoking and the dance was beautiful, but I was a little lost.
That brings me to another point: timeline. Granted, I haven’t read the book, but I was completely confused as to where in time we were left during Act V. Entire scenes seemed to repeat themselves and suddenly we were off this alleged “island” where Prospero and his daughter were vanished and into the real world with doorbells, dinner parties and the like. It was bizarre! At least on the Island I could suspend disbelief of the events that sequenced, but smushed up against the real world, I was lost in what remained reality and what was solely absurd.

Cyrstal Pite who created this piece is to be hailed for such a successful performance. The choreography, staging, and actors were so well-aligned; it was a seamless production and a beautiful show. I would gladly see another show by Kidd Pivot, and am super excited to read the Tempest in one of my classes later this year to fill in the plot gaps. Tremendous and awe-inspiring, I’m glad I attended.

“All things in common nature should produce / Without sweat or endeavor” (Shakespeare, Tempest, 2.1)

This weekend, Kidd Pivott will be in town performing their interpretation of the Tempest as set to modern dance. Their dance company is based in Vancouver since 2002. Under the artistic direction of Crystal Pite, this performance is sure to blow you away. A tale of revenge, redemption, and passion, the stormy spectacle is definitely worth your time. Ballet Tanz says, “Pite’s as energetic as a sparkler and fluid as quicksilver.” Although this “common nature” definitely involved some “sweat” and “endeavor” it is a performance not to be missed.

Kidd Pivot, Tempest Replica will perform at Power Center on the evenings of this Friday and Saturday (9/21-22). Tickets still available!