No amusement genius has made Samuel Beckett’s pinball machine yet. Imagine a dark palette, defective flippers, and a high score list labeled GODOTGODOTGODOT.But those who are eager to expand Beckett’s brand can arrive at New York University instead. “Cascando” Scarball Center Adaptation of Beckett’s radio drama since the early 1960s.It’s courtesy Bread Bread TheaterAn Irish company with an unfriendly approach to classics.
Originally created in collaboration with composer Marcel Mihalovic, “Cascando” is aimed at a passive audio experience. However, this “Cascando”, directed by Gavin Quinn and designed by Aedin Cosgrove, adds a participatory element.
Upon arrival, each ticket owner will wear a black hooded robe and hand over headphones. Relaxed participants at LaGuardia Place, a quiet street next to Washington Square Park in Manhattan, begin walking in a row on the adjacent blocks. As they take a walk, they hear the pre-recorded text here by Andrew Bennett and Daniel Riadon.
Wandering through a village dressed as a fashionable Druid, Goth Garden Gnome, is a kind of fun. However, there is no stopping, interaction, or activation in the middle. Choreography — sharp turns here and there — is minimal. At one point, with breathtaking excitement, I wondered why I should sit down. We weren’t sitting.
It makes sense to come across Beckett’s text on headphones (there’s a reference to a story that only exists in someone’s head), but walking with them doesn’t illuminate or enliven the text. Repeat and ellipsis. It means that it slipped down on the rainy sidewalk.
In another city, at another moment, a show like “Cascando” might at least decorate the street life. But the typical street life of New York is already various theaters, druids, or not. As we re-entered the park, we saw a flock of skateboarders looking up and down at us. We became part of their story, I thought for some time it was part of their experience. Then they shrugged and returned to the conversation. Brothers just another Wednesday in the village.
Stranger Things: Experience
Until August 21st at Duggal Greenhouse in Brooklyn. Stranger Things-experience.com.. Run Time: 45 minutes for the show, and mix.
Caskand
Until July 3rd at NYU Scarball in Manhattan. nyuskirball.org.. Execution time: 30 minutes.
