Golem by 1927

Encapsulating you in a world on the cusp of a post-modern society; Golem explores the repercussions of a society that is set on 'saying yes to progress'. Through the extremely tight knit and clever use of scenery, animation, costume, music and a very heightened state of physicality , Golem opens up a new place one has never seen or experienced before. Combing aspects of a silent film, old yellow cartoons and - taking the Andy Warhol vision of making art out of the everyday - popart, from the get go the audience is completely engrossed in the characters world and story.

Based upon a traditional Jewish myth, the author and director Suzanne Andrade, centres the piece around the nervous, crooked and what is depicted as nerdy Robert. Working a mundane job within the midst of a modernist society, Robert begins his descent in becoming a weapon of mass consumption by purchasing a clay robot named Golom. Seemingly a perfect being, Golem is set on saying yes to progress, and forever improving into different more efficient models. After the purchase of a pair of yellow boots, by Robert, the irony that people feel they can be sold and buy there identity's is both prevalent and sad . It totally depicts the mediated world we are consumed by today; wear your hair like this and you can be that lady from a magazine. The piece also takes you on a whirlwind of implications this progress driven society encounters and how it impacts dating, family life, and how people act within social situations. I left the theatre begging to have the question answered at why we seemed obsessed with improvement and progress.

What I particularly liked about this piece the way it used its set design and animation to seamlessly tie in with the actors very good use of characterisation and costume. I have never seen a performance, yet, that has used animation so effectively. Not only did it create the illusion of people walking down streets or emphasise what is going on in there minds, but it also was used for the machine Golem. The characterisation of Robert was particularly outstanding and I found myself been drawn to his character the whole way through. The actress was enticing to watch. For me, I thought the music being presented live on stage really helped keep the momentum of the piece up and stylistically kept the eye always focussed on the bubble of this world on stage.

Although this piece was visually stunning, I did agree with my tutor. It gave us everything, we didn't need to work or find meaning, we were almost given it to us on a plate. Plus, it is nothing we aren't already aware off. However, in saying this it did bring the repercussions of a modernist society to the forefront but whether it has provided a catalyst for change? We will have to wait and see. None the less, this a piece of theatre I will probably never forget. Quirky, innovative and visually stunning.

Bibliography 

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