Two men sit in front of an audience on a cruise ship. On one side of the screen, a man in silver sunglasses sings as he strums his guitar. A bright sunset of reds and oranges from the deck of the cruise ship is seen on the opposite side, the tops of trees brushing against the light. In front of this colorful scene, the shadow of a man waves his arms in precise, careful movements. This man, the illusionist, flips the sunset on its head. With this surprising use of a virtual platform, it’s as if we are sitting on the cruise ship, watching this feat of illusion.
The Runner & Illusionist is part one of Decomposed Theatre, an eight-part series. Each episode can be watched and understood without seeing the others. In this episode, an illusionist and his accomplice, a runner, entertain an audience on a cruise ship with illusions. In true Trap Door Theatre fashion, The Runner & Illusionist is performed for absurdity’s sake.
Throughout the performance, technical choices help us see the absurd more clearly. A kaleidoscope of colors captures the absurdity and strangeness of the illusionist’s performance. Recorded videos flash over the shoulder of the illusionist, transporting him directly to a new location. In some sections, careful maneuvering of the camera allows the illusionist to seem like he is floating. Like this reviewer, you may sit at close attention witnessing these virtual elements, as if the true meaning might slip from a loose grip.
Trap Door Theatre Embraces Virtual Illusions
Virtual performances might be a turnoff for some theater enthusiasts, but after a year of practice during the pandemic, Trap Door Theatre uses virtual platforms to their advantage. The Runner & Illusionist is no exception, in this writer’s opinion. During one illusion, behind the illusionist, an orb of light appears on a simple white backdrop like the glare of a flashlight. The illusionist waves his hands as the orb flies around. It’s as if he’s controlling the light. Then, seamlessly, the orb grows until it transforms into the moon, complete with craters. We are left wondering at the technical expertise with which this trick had been performed.
Was the orb of light really the moon?
Decomposed Theatre is a good performance for those searching for absurd storytelling through a virtual platform.
