PERFORMANCE REVIEW: Pictures from an Exhibition

Pictures from an Exhibition

Young Vic Theatre in association with Sadler's Wells

Pictures from an Exhibition is a brave new venture by the two leading theatres in London. The title suggests a performance inspired by Russian composer Modest Mussorgsky's most famous piano suite. Combining Sadler's Wells' expertise in dance and the Young Vic's innovative theatre making, with rising young American director Daniel Kramer - whose credits include Angels in America (Lyric Hammersmith), Woyzeck (NYC) and Hair (Gate Theatre) - this is a production that sets high expectations.

The opening scene provides a good framework of what is to follow: Mussorgsky is grieving the loss of his dear friend, the painter and architect Viktor Hartmann, and as a result he delves into a hallucinatory journey in search of the sounds that can bring his beloved friend back to his own reality. The text serves beautifully, balancing well with movement and sound. Acting, dancing, and piano playing fuse to generate a highly energetic performance, interwoven with the distinct and memorable Promenade interludes.

The choreography is witty and rich in classical and contemporary references. However, one quickly becomes aware of the over-excessive lighting design, which dominates the stage frequently obscuring the performers and blinding the audience. The nightmarish atmosphere is created heavy handedly with garish colours that resembles a pantomime. And if pantomime is what it intends to be, then it is certainly not what one expects.

The stage set comprises of five doors varying in style, and a piano under a large, empty picture frame. There is also a vending machine selling vodka which adds a surrealistic touch to the otherwise static and less innovative design, in comparison to the rest of the elements. The relationship between the music and the imagery - which is at the core of Mussorgsky's work - is ignored but without a good reason.

The fine tuning of story, movement, acoustic, and visual elements is what it is missing to make this performance powerful. It has all the smoke and sound, but the music inspires a more elevated sentiments than what is being presented here.

Ingrid Hu