Review: To End to Seem to End (Curious Theatre Branch)

To End to Seem to End

Written by Jayita Bhattacharya
Directed by Jeffrey Bivens
at Prop Thtr, 3502 N. Elston (map)
thru Nov 16 | tickets: $12-$15   | more info

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Admirable effort at mixing performance art and drama

Curious Theatre Branch presents

To End to Seem to End

Review by John Olson

It’s billed as a play, but To End to Seem to End seems more like performance art. An exploration of the feelings surrounding a young couple in the aftermath of their breakup, there’s no linear story or clearly defined characters. The performers billed as “the couple” are frequently just props around which a Greek chorus moves – sometimes playing the couple, sometime commenting on them. Memory fragments float around – sometimes approaching more traditionally dramatic scenes, sometimes just phrases or short exchanges repeated with variations. This is all performed in an intriguing visual design. Beyond a sofa, and a large curtained picture window from which the chorus emerges and retreats, there are wooden chairs split in two that appear to be standing with benefit of only two legs. This visual theme of rending a couple into two pieces is further developed in costumes for the chorus that include symbolic cuts or painted gashes on the clothes of the four chorus members who represent the couple at times. The fifth chorus member is dressed in red – maybe representing the aftermath of the breakup? Possibly the couple’s child? (The actress is the young-looking Lena Magnus Brün). In contrast to the chorus, the couple (Debbie Halstead and Nick Leininger) is dressed all in neutral white gauze.

There’s nothing very specific about the couple or the reasons for their breakup. We see instead an inability to connect, as when one half of the couple notes that the other half is present, but not engaged. There are attempts at intimacy – most notably an entertaining segment in which two of the chorus play the couple trying to find cuddly, yet comfortable positions on a sofa. It’s a great piece of physical comedy by Taran O’Reilly and Julia Williams, which – though it goes on a bit longer than it needs to – undoubtedly has resonance for all couples in the audience.

Bhattachaya’s language is more poetic than dramatic, and she repeats phrases frequently enough that we have the chance to really hear and ponder them, though they’re repeated often more than they need to be. A chief offender in this regard is the segment following the couch scene, in which O’Reilly, Williams, director Jeffrey Bivens and the author replay a conversation multiple times with multiple permutations in who is coupled to whom.

Through the piece, we’re challenged to think about the persistence of memory – do relationships or events really end when they live on in our memory? There’s a playful section in which words are dissected – does “Forever” mean “in favor of ever?” Does “repeat” refer to a man named Pete who goes on and on? Though I couldn’t help but recall an episode of “The Bob Newhart Show” in which a drunken Bob asks Emily if “provolone” means “in favor of volone” and “antipasto” means “against pasto,” the writer’s insightful point is that our language seems to support the idea that things never really end.

Bhattacharya gives us the feelings of loneliness both from a decaying relationship and the loss of that relationship in universal terms, without providing a specific couple or situation. There’s enough variety in the action and intrigue in the design to hold attention over the 75 minutes, but just barely. The performers play it with crisp precision and are fully committed to the piece, but the takeaways from the piece are nonetheless a bit slim, and they’re overpowered by the distinctive design elements. It’s an admirable effort, though, and the universality of the themes may make it a good choice for those who enjoy experimental performance pieces. Just know that you’re not going to see anything like Vince Vaughn and Jennifer Anniston in “The Break-up”.

Rating: ★★½

To End to Seem to End continues through November 16th at Prop Thtr, 3502 N. Elston (map), with performances Fridays and Saturdays at 8pm, Sundays 3pm. Tickets are $12-$15 (or pay what you can at the door), and are available by phone (773-492-1287) or online through BrownPaperTickets.com (check for half-price tickets at Goldstar.com). More information at CuriousTheatreBranch.com. (Running time: 75 minutes, NO intermission)

artists

cast

Debbie Halstead, Nick Leininger (The Couple), Julia Williams, Taran O’Reilly, Jayita Bhattacharya, Jeffrey Bivens, Lena Magnus Brün (Chorus)

behind the scenes

Jeffrey Bivens (director and designer), Jayita Bhattacharya (movement direction), Briavael O’Reilly, Jennifer Moniz (assistant directors), Dennis Burke, Michael St. John (set design), Jenny Magnus (music & arrangements), Briavael O’Reilly (sound design), Julia Williams (costumes), Stefan Brün, Jenny Magnus, Matt Test, Xia Magnus (outside eyes).

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