eggshell

Eggshell was such a clever, sweet, and funny play! The three actors in the show speak only in gibberish, which they do so well that you don't even notice it after the first minute or so. This show is has amazing physical timing and comedy -- a joy to watch from start to finish. The characters are lovable and you root for them throughout the entire action-packed show. I haven't laughed that hard in a show in a long time! Very highly recommended. ... full review

Experimental as what all. The show is highly abstract/visceral with most of my time spent trying to figure out what was happening. Without a comprehensible language (gibberish), and an extremely subjective plot, I found it difficult to sink in and lose myself in the story. I'm sure the play is well executed if you know what your looking for i.e. akin to experimental theatre... in that case I'm sure it would be quite good, hence 'Not my Thing' is the more appropriate personal response than 'Didn't care for it.' I believe Soren's direction was solid, and I commend the cast for their very physical performances and commitment to their characters. All three of the actors are talented, and fun to watch, with the actress being particularly endur... full review

Very funny and unexpectedly moving show! High energy and impressive physical performances. I agree with the other reviews that this show does not have a "traditional narrative" but if you free yourself from "figuring it out" it's a very enjoyable experience! ... full review

I walked into Eggshell not knowing what exactly to expect. I was curious to see how a production with gibberish would play out. I enjoyed the majority of this show. The abstract structure made for a memorable and meaningful play. If you are looking for a structured, in the box show, this might not peak your interest. If you are however looking for a production with a little silly, and a lot of underlying meaning sit back and let these three talented actors entertain you. By the end of the show you will fall in love with three friends trying to survive in a world as fragile as our own.... full review

An amazingly refreshing work that says everything with nothing. Brilliant, captivating and hilarious--a must see!... full review

At first, I was a little concerned about watching an entire show spoken in gibberish. The fine acting and physical comedy drew me in, and I became fascinated watching the characters endure and try to resolve conflict after conflict. Soon enough, I knew exactly what the characters were saying, even though I had no idea of what their words meant. It's an interesting take on the universality of language, even when the "language" is gibberish. The show is very Samual Beckett, performed by Keystone Cops. ... full review

A clever, funny, and fun piece. The actors were fantastic and supremely expressive! They had amazing timing and great physicality. You learn quickly that the piece is entirely spoken in gibberish, but because it was so well executed, you don't miss a thing. I liked it enough to see it again.... full review

I met Artwork Theatre's Søren Olsen when I came to see Speed Merchant, and was intrigued by his description of his show. He convinced me to stay after Red Bastard and check it out. What resulted was an interesting night of theater. The dialog of the play is complete gibberish, but much like That Beautiful Laugh, the physicality of actors Elizabeth Colon Nelson, Gabriel McKinney, and Tim Reid shine through and provide most of the clues as to what is happening on stage. The play is visually stunning and compelling enough to overcome the lack of words to overtly tell the audience the story. This is an intuitive piece which challenges the audience to examine all the evidence and piece together what is essentially an age old story of... full review

FULL DISCLOSURE: I am good friends with this play's writer/director Soren Olsen. I was also privileged enough to witness the premiere of this piece at the University of Iowa a couple years ago. Eggshell is a masters level course on physical theatre. Lost within the first few minutes of the piece is a complete language barrier (as far as I know, no one speaks fluent gibberish, save Frank, Gold, and Murph), and what is left is a study grounded in the connectivity of three unique individuals within a surrealist work setting. What Mr. Olsen delivers to the audience is a compelling case for the lost art of Grotowski Technique. Effortlessly the actors embody their characters, and so much of what is meant to be said is said through action. The t... full review

Gosh I really liked Eggshell. From the description, I was imagining a very funny movement-based piece that calls upon the best aspects of clowning and commedia. I was imagining the actors playing games, falling down, and running into things -- silly outcomes fueled by incredibly high stakes. The show was exactly what I imagined, and in the best way possible. Eggshell is weird, inventive, and hilarious. The three performers are superb physical comedians and they under Søren Olsen's technically precise direction bring a delightfully bizarre story to life.... full review