Saw an absolutely fantastic show last night: the musical Woyzek at the Barbican directed by Robert Wilson with a score by Tom Waits and Kathleen Brennan. Incredible music, incredible, brightly coloured, slightly circusy sets, and a wonderfully quirky interpretaion of what should be a very depressing story. Also, the Barbican is a wonderfully comfy and well-designed theatre. All in all, a pretty groovy show.
Have I mentioned the music? Not to knock Tom's voice, but other people should sing his stuff more often. I don't think I've heard Tom do these songs yet, but (with all due respect) I think the performances last night must be better. I understand the music is available on his Blood Money album if you're curious.
The show was a musical version of an old Danish play about a soldier named Woycek who is in love with a lady of questionable virtue. In order to earn money for her and her child (I wasn't entirely clear if the boy was his child as well), he suffers through weird, sadistic medical experiments and various other torments. It's really not a nice life. When he finds out his sweetie-pumpkin-pie has been having an affair with a Drum Major he goes a bit wacko and kills her with a big knife.
But somehow, mainly because of the music and sets and staging, this version is kind of cheerful and surreal and one doesn't get all bummed out about what is really a very unpleasant and hopeless story. In fact, one tends to leave the theatre humming a happy little tune.
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