This & That promises storytelling and puppetry, and is staged in the Barbican’s Pit theatre as part of Mime London.
In the programme, Phil Soltanoff and Steven Wendt state their ambition to “create simple, human, poetic, fact-driven theatre, visual theatre that doesn’t need any words.”
As an introduction to this hour-long showcase, Phil tells us that there are no recorded visuals, and everything Steven does is by hand, live.
There’s a large screen, a couple of tripods/cameras, some lights, projectors, a lamp, Phil is in charge of the music, which ranges from opera to piano to cowboy crooning, and direction.
Opening with abstract animation and moving into a whole world of shadow puppetry storytelling, This & That plays with the moving image and what we see and interpret.
There’s a moment where a lamp bulb, hooked up to a microphone, comes to life and hints at escape. White blobs may become eggs waiting to hatch. A floating object is captured in the hand.
Both rider and horse join in song as they head along the range. A surprised moose pops up along the way. Later, a story about a mother and baby plays out and makes an emotional connection.
This is a playful show, both in style and skill. Now and then, the room fills with sparkling lights, or the shadows bring a dancer on screen to show off his moves.
The mood can shift just as quickly as an image can be focused or brought to life with a movement of a hand. It’s deceptively simple yet deeply complex.
Coming from the USA to Mime London and supported by an award from the Jim Henson Foundation, This & That uses the universal language of imagery to reach out to us.
Curiously moving, always intriguing, and showcasing the exceptional skill of a couple of creatives just using their imagination and bits of equipment they have adapted, This & That deserved its warm applause.
This & That is inspired by Basil Twist’s Symphony Fantastique, and by characters sculpted by Henry Moore.
This & That runs until 17 Feb at the Barbican Pit, with tickets here.
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Image credit: Brian Rogers and Steven Wendt