<bt>Who knew that the land of Colchis, where Greek mythology says Jason sought the golden fleece, was actually in what today is the Republic of Georgia, the country to the east of the Black Sea between Russia and Turkey?
Obviously, Paata and Irina Tsikurishvili knew, for they have created
another of their unique fusions of theater and dance on precisely that topic.
"Jason and the Argonauts" opened at the Rosslyn Spectrum last weekend and runs through June 26.
It is a theater piece unlike any other, as is the case with nearly all
of the productions of their Synetic Theater Company which recently merged with Arlington's Classika Theatre. The two companies share deep roots in the traditions of classical theater of Russia and the republics which constituted the former Soviet Union.
This piece is the work of director Paata Tsikurishvili and his wife,
Irina, both of whom have roots in the Republic of Georgia. Paata is a graduate of the T'bilisi Institute of Theater and Film while Irina graduated from the T'bilisi Chubukiani Ballet School in the Georgian capital.
Paata has come to prominence in the local theatre scene as a director and an actor. He received the Helen Hayes Award for Outstanding Direction of a Play
for his 2003 production of "Hamlet...the rest is silence."
Irina is a choreographer and dancer who has established an
unprecedented prominence in the local theatre scene over the past half dozen years.
SHE HAS BEEN nominated for the Helen Hayes Award for Outstanding
Choreography every year since 1999, winning the award an incredible four years out of five.
Here she is one of the two principal performers as well. She
dances/acts the role of Medea, the queen who came to the aid of Jason on his quest for the golden fleece, with tragic consequences. It is a role of few words in the first act, when her movements tell much of the story. The movements are the more evocative and eloquent language, telling much of the story without
the necessity of mere words. Her verbal delivery, much of it in the second act, is somehow less eloquent and more declamatory.
Matching Tsikurishvili in dance and adding a nice touch of more
modulated vocal delivery is Synetic Theatre Company member Greg Marzullo in the title role. He has the chiseled features reminiscent of cartoon characterizations of the monster-battling Jason but with a hard edge that matches the demands of this sometimes less cartoonish production. His energy and intensity are
impressive.
Adaptor Suzen Mason and director Paata Tsikurishvili has fashioned a piece that is neither drama nor modern dance, but which draws from the traditions of both to re-tell the story of the Greek adventurer who faced dangers both natural and supernatural in his quest for the golden fleece. In two acts, each with about a dozen scenes, the events of Jason's travels, trials and tribulations are detailed, mostly through movement, while the motivations of
each major character are explained through text.
Greek mythology has it that the son of King Athamus escaped being
sacrificed by fleeing on the back of a winged ram whose wool was a golden yellow. Upon his safe arrival at Colchis, he sacrificed the ram and its pelt was preserved as the "golden fleece" which was much treasured by the ruler of Colchis, King Aeetes.
The struggle of young Jason to obtain that fleece has been the subject ofmany a Hollywood special effects extravaganza. After all, various versions of ancient texts include an assortment of creatures that tempt a cartoonist or special effects master: a centaur who is half horse, half human; harpies who have human heads, bird bodies and razor claws; fire breathing bulls and, of course, a flying ram.
The Tsikurishvilis are more interested in the aspects of adventure and challenge than in the specific attributes of mythical beasts, and as a result, their production is much less reliant on bizarre costuming and more on atmosphere and energy. Set and costume designer Georgi Alexi-Meskhishvili gives them that atmosphere with a spare setting using ropes to form shapes from doorways to ship rigging which lighting designer Colin Bills seems to work in darkness more than in light, using shadows and gaps to great effect.
The dancers provide the energy. Together, they make a visually fascinating evening although one that is somewhat less satisfying dramatically because the story seems too streamlined and the acting too artificial. It is like nothing else being offered in local theaters and well worth a visit.
WHERE AND WHEN: "Jason and the Argonauts" plays Thursday - Saturday at 8p.m. with Sunday matinees at 3 p.m. at the Rosslyn Spectrum, 1611 North Kent Street through June 26. Tickets are $15 - $39. Call 703-824-8060 or log onto www.synetic.org.