With nearly 40 actors, eight directors, and an overall roster of artists spanning five countries, Trap Door Theatre‘s sprawling, eight-episode streaming production of playwright Matei Vişniec’s Decomposed Theatre offers a deep dive into the drama, absurdity, tragedy, and undeniably relevant work of the contemporary Romanian-French dramatist.
Weirdness and wonder abound, starting with the first episode, The Runner & Illusionist, which takes viewers on a virtual run while we also see—via split screen—a cruise ship magician who sometimes levitates between water and sky. Directed by Katarzyna Wińska and featuring John Kahara and Michael Mejia, the piece evokes the journey of Apollo as a marathoner follows the sun, footsteps providing a percussive, relentless undercurrent toward a glowing orb getting closer and closer until it seems to fit in the runner’s palm.
Brainwashing as presented here is a solution on par with Jonathan Swift‘s A Modest Proposal, which satirically advocates eating children as a means of ending hunger and poverty. Brainwashing, so we’re told, can transform your brain from a frightening labyrinth to a streamlined hall of mirrors. Imagination and reason will remain intact, we’re assured, but your soul will be emptied and purified.
Given the breadth and the creativity on display with Decomposed Theatre, it’s hard to argue with that. v
Open run: series available anytime with purchase at trapdoortheatre.com, $15.
