By Ernest Kearney — I see the barest of stages: nondescript chair, nondescript glass…half full of nondescript water. Some token of a set would help, I think.
John Heimbuch wanders, literally wanders onto the stage and he is pretty nondescript himself: slacks, Standard Shoes, Ross Dress for Less shirt. Some effort towards a modicum of a costume would help, I think.
Then Heimbuch begins reciting the ancient epic of Beowulf, — one of the greatest works of literature humanity possesses, a work glutted with heroic imagery and legendary exploits — and as he fills the confines of the Broadwater Studio near to bursting with the voluminous and luminous language of this Old English epic poem I think: “Well screw the sets and costume!”
This is a bare bones production with the barest of bones conceivable. All Heimbuch brings to the stage is a startling mastery of the language and the storytelling skills to rival those of any seanchaidhe, bard, griot, hakawati or kobzar of old.
Working from a superb script by Playwright Charlie Bethel, (highly regarded for his adaptations of classic works such as The Odyssey, Call of the Wild and others) Heimbuch handles the meticulous and unforgiving demanding language with a skill and dexterity that is breathtaking. Heimbuch takes us back to a time before CGI, before algorithmic video editing, before digital projections and reminds us all of the power of the human voice.
***
A very bright, and very well-deserved
GOLD MEDAL
***
Beowulf playing at Hollywood Fringe Festival 2022
EVENT:
Beowulf
***
Additional Information
ADAPTED BY: Charlie Bethel
PERFORMED BY: John Heimbuch
DIRECTED BY: Amy Rummenie
VENUE:
The Broadwater Studio,
1078 Lillian Way, Los Angeles, CA 90038
TICKETS:
$12
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