What I liked
The moments of bittersweet and unsaid family love really stood out as the audience watched the actors truly live in the moment.
The minimalistic set allowed ease between scenes and creates a simplistic illusion where the actors can (and did) fill in the gaps – its one of the magics of theatre that we have come to love.
There is a complexity through each situation where the audience is also torn with the cast between taking action and swallowing a tough pill.
El Jefe (Carlos Campos) was probably my favorite cast member due to his immediate presence and his wonderful mustache. A sight to see.
But the emotional rollercoaster of Carlos (Roberto Arrizon) is not one to be forgotten or missed.
Eduardo Vega brings his world to the theatre and it’s great to be a part of.
What I didn't like
There are times in the show where it’s not clear who we are watching and what’s going on (a time jump, a dream, not sure…); this could be helped with lighting adjustments.
As said earlier, a few more tech rehearsals would have created a more clean transition between scenes and probably helped the cast to start more focused on their lines – but sometimes a few more tech rehearsals just isn’t possibly, understandably.
I felt that sound was underused – while there was music and sound cues, I felt that there could have been more of a rhythmic tone which would have helped to bring the audience in deeper to the show.
My overall impression
An Octopus In Its Own Ink is a work that looks into the historic tyranny of a monarch through the lenses of one family during a monumental occasion in their home. There are moments where the impact and the weight of true history shine through and the audience is reminded of the tangible reality that the story is based on. Reading the “Historical Background” and “Playwright’s Note” before it begins is a must – especially for those who are not as well versed in the history of the Dominican Republic.
There are definitely times where a few extra days in tech would have really made this piece soar. However, this historical fiction – made with love and a connection to the writer’s own personal family- is art and it should be celebrated.
