The Epic of Gilgamesh is a poem from ancient Mesopotamia which is popularly known as the oldest surviving work of literary fiction. It concerns the King Gilgamesh and his efforts to defy the world, gods, and death itself.
Obie winner Neal Bell has taken the story and re-told it as Shadow of Himself, structuring it into an action-packed and funny meditation on masculinity, in a tone which, though still epic, has a specifically modern and relatable feel. It's a fascinating and stimulating piece.
Gil (Matt W. Cody), a king, thinks he can do whatever he pleases because he's the strongest, most handsome, and best at everything. This includes taking women first on their wedding night, and the usual corrupt king stuff. Two of his soldiers (Daniel Ajl Kitrosser and Adam Swiderski) find a wild man in the woods (Edward Elefterion (the play's director, standing in for the injured Mark Cajigao the night I attended)), who, once civilized into humanity by a temple prostitute (Emily Hartford), comes to the city, where he meets the king- they are evenly matched in nearly every respect, and they quite quickly become the only thing the other lives for. Gil becomes a better king now that he has love to occupy his time, and decides to do something about dead bodies that have been floating down the river. They go on a campaign to destroy the gods that have been demanding these sacrifices, and Gil's friend is killed. Gil then attempts to get to the underworld and retrieve him.
NYIT award-winning Rabbit Hole Ensemble's trademark minimalist style works wonderfully here- only the necessary props, all the characters wear blank T-shirts and cargo pants, with some additions to play different roles (costumes and props by Michael Tester). And they always make wonderful use of light (designed by Kevin Hardy).
The five performers are all terrific. Cody, a resident artist with Rabbit Hole Ensemble, truly captures the arrogance of the character, and still lets us feel his sense of wonder and loss. Kitrosser and Swiderski have an excellent chemistry as the two soldiers who are in a constant battle to prove to each other how manly they are. Hartford (another frequent Rabbit Hole collaborator), gives finely nuanced performances as all the women of the piece, and is especially powerful as Gil's mother.
Elefterion gave a great performance as NK, the wild man- my friend who came with me didn't even know till afterward which one was the replacement.
It's a highly effective piece of theatre- I recommend it.
shadow of himself
a new play by neal bell
world premiere
limited run January 8th thru 31st 2009
at The Access theater
380 Broadway New York, NY 10013
Tickets $20
http://www.rabbitholeensemble.com/ for more information and to buy tickets.
Photo: Daniel Ajl Kitrosser, Emily Hartford, Adam Swiderski and Matt W. Cody
