Upon entering the space I see it is filled with a group of videogame game puppetry enthusiasts. Previously unaware of the art, I approached the workshop with trepidation; videogames are not my thing, nor did I understand how they could be incorporated with theatre. My mind quickly changed. I was fascinated by the innovative form of expression, a completely new concept to me.
Eddie Kim, founder of the company, had a relaxed approach with his directorial style. Choosing participants from the audience to read a line, each scene would last about 2 minutes, upon which Kim would stop to open a discussion. No two scenes will ever be the same due to the audience's direct involvement in the story, making each showing a unique treat.
Kim is a new York based theatre maker, originally working as a teacher before finding his niche. His unique combination of classical text and video game visuals are striking, drawing you into an abstract world of dissimilitude. Founded in 2007, Kim and his company have been touring the likes of America and Taiwan.
He told us of how the idea originally stemmed from an offer to produce a piece of theatre in a 6ft x 6ft space. Kim was working on "Medea" at the time, and producing a live action rendition in a space so small seemed unfeasible. He came up with the idea of actors simply reading a script, while others played a videogame, reenacting the plot, with the action being screened upon the walls by projector.
Hemisphere magazine described their concept as the "future of theatre" and I agree.
Even if you don't think you'll like it, give it a chance and you may find yourself discovering a new way of expressing yourself, all while building a bridge between technology and the arts.
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