What I liked
“Peaches! Grapes. Pickles…… Juice!!!” “Line!” Given the textural and outside-meaning nature of the performance, I really loved any time MaMa would acknowledge the absurdity of the situation or commitment with us. I enjoyed sitting in silence together, and I enjoyed giggling uncontrollably at sequences that had been prolonged by chance to the point of ridiculousness.
What I didn't like
There was a distance away from MaMa that I felt initially in the show. This may very well be deliberate, since it creates a clearing where the audience can react as they wish to what’s happening in front of them, and they can develop an organic sense of curiosity about MaMa and what exactly she’s doing. All the same, I wish that MaMa acknowledged us in the scenes more, especially during those absurd moments or those moments of intense emotion (I wish this knowing that this might make for a different show and sense altogether that may be contrary to the original intent). Those brief flashes of direct acknowledgement were among my favorite moments of the show where I felt most connected to MaMa.
My overall impression
I’ve been craving increasing levels of absurdism in my life and in the art I engage with for a while, and this scratched that itch like nothing else. MaMa is committed in stage presence and in playing with chance when building the show for an individual viewing. I’m curious what other paths of this show exist that we didn’t get to see that night!
