Theatre review: The Angel & the Beloved, Hopetoun Alpha

Composer John Gibson and performer Sylvia Rands in The Angel and the Beloved. Photo / Roger Mills

Opinion

Rainer Maria Rilke has always commanded a devoted following among connoisseurs of fine literature but he is also widely read.

Translations of poems he wrote more than 100 years ago are hot items in the Mind & Body section of on-line bookstores and in 2009 he achieved instant celebrity when Lady Gaga added a Rilke quote to her collection of tattoos.

The Angel & the Beloved presents a well balanced selection of his work that will thrill Rilke devotees while providing an enticing introduction for those unfamiliar with his work.

At the heart of the show is a voice and music collaboration between Sylvia Rands and John Gibson that reflects George Steiner's description of how Rilke pushes against the limits of language leaving his words "poised for the transforming power of music".

The synthesis goes well beyond providing a musical setting for the words. A number of poems are worked into intricately structured songs and passages of pure sound form an emotionally charged commentary on the text.

Sylvia Rands' remarkable vocal technique carries the constantly shifting moods of the piece. At times she engages the audience with ironical, whimsical tone and elsewhere the crystal clear enunciation takes on the quality of incantation.

John Gibson's musical performance is equally impressive. As well as racing over the keyboard, he thumps the piano lid for percussive effect and delves inside the instrument to coax ethereal sounds out of the piano wires.

The singing from both performers is full of conviction and an intense desire to wrest meaning out of the words.

The visual dimension of the show features some brilliantly designed digital projections with animated leaves and flowers offering an exquisitely choreographed dance that gently echoes the imagery of the poems.

Tussling with angels is never easy and those who respond to Rilke are likely to be looking for something beyond entertainment. This is a challenging show that requires an attitude of openness from the audience.

As the images and music wash over us we are brought up against Rilke's belief in the magical properties of an art that has the power to transform life.

What: The Angel & the Beloved
Where: Hopetoun Alpha
When: Until October 16

- Herald online