Anya and Saul is an experimental fusion of art, storytelling and music.
The story of Anya, a whale-like creature of the Sea, and Saul, and elephant living in the desert, is projected on to a circular screen. The audience must turn their heads from one side of the screen to the other, as the two stories are told in alternating fashion. The two projections move along the circular screen towards each other, overlapping and then retreating again.
The story itself is akin to a children’s story or a traditional folktale, and is narrated in English (the original was in German). A soundtrack of music and sound effects reverberates through the ‘surround sound’ set up.
The combination of music and intricate, colorful visuals is effective. However, the drawings of the characters that cross the screen (which appear to be some sort of silhouetted puppets) are at odds with their beautiful backgrounds, as they bobbed stiffly around on sticks. It felt a bit like a low budget children’s programme, which was a bit alienating for me as adult. Likewise, the children in the audience seemed a bit put off by the abstractness and heavy symbolism of it all. However, this is a boutique performance which will undoubtedly appeal very much to some, such as those interested in folktales and symbolism, as well as children who are particularly creative and imaginative.
The audience is encouraged to sit on the duvets spread in front of the planetary machine (a rather complicated looking apparatus on which the two projectors are housed), in order to get the full effect of the circular screen and surround sound, and thus should wear appropriate clothes for this and be prepared to remove their shoes. The best effect is achieved lying down, to avoid craning the neck too much.
The artist and the composer were on hand to introduce the show and answer any questions at the end. The project was originally supported by the City of Bonn, and has been brought to Oxford as part of its twinning with Bonn.
The story of Anya, a whale-like creature of the Sea, and Saul, and elephant living in the desert, is projected on to a circular screen. The audience must turn their heads from one side of the screen to the other, as the two stories are told in alternating fashion. The two projections move along the circular screen towards each other, overlapping and then retreating again.
The story itself is akin to a children’s story or a traditional folktale, and is narrated in English (the original was in German). A soundtrack of music and sound effects reverberates through the ‘surround sound’ set up.
The combination of music and intricate, colorful visuals is effective. However, the drawings of the characters that cross the screen (which appear to be some sort of silhouetted puppets) are at odds with their beautiful backgrounds, as they bobbed stiffly around on sticks. It felt a bit like a low budget children’s programme, which was a bit alienating for me as adult. Likewise, the children in the audience seemed a bit put off by the abstractness and heavy symbolism of it all. However, this is a boutique performance which will undoubtedly appeal very much to some, such as those interested in folktales and symbolism, as well as children who are particularly creative and imaginative.
The audience is encouraged to sit on the duvets spread in front of the planetary machine (a rather complicated looking apparatus on which the two projectors are housed), in order to get the full effect of the circular screen and surround sound, and thus should wear appropriate clothes for this and be prepared to remove their shoes. The best effect is achieved lying down, to avoid craning the neck too much.
The artist and the composer were on hand to introduce the show and answer any questions at the end. The project was originally supported by the City of Bonn, and has been brought to Oxford as part of its twinning with Bonn.