This is a deceptively simple, visually stunning theatre work combining mime, acrobatics, dance, projections and other elements in a joyous, mesmerizing and wistful work that is great fun and enchanting for all ages.( The audience when I attended was a great mix , from young kids to grandparents). The show is part of the Opera House’s school holiday series and was included in last year’s Brisbane Festival.
A white projection screen and another room in Mondrian like colours of red black and white greet the audience when we enter. Stage left, we see the highly skilled Bonnet —a very disciplined theatrical acrobat / slow-take clown—in person and in the ‘real ‘world we inhabit. Simultaneously , in life-size video stage right, Bonnet goes through exactly the same motions in a room that is somehow tilted 90 degrees from reality.
What happens when the laws of gravity unexpectedly change? This effect is achieved via cleverly and precisely synchronized staging and video design, leading to lots of theatrical magic ,illusion and trickery – join Leo as his enchanted suitcase becomes among other things a radio ( with a very eclectic soundtrack ranging from Tchaikovsky’s “Swan lake” to jazz , that inspire Bonnet to various styles of movement ). Sometimes the show is scary and ominous, at other times wistful, at other times joyous (eg the sequences dancing like Fred Astaire or Gene Kelly).
When Leo (this is a one person show , we gather that is the character’s name ) first enters the room alone with his suitcase, all appears quite ordinary and normal. Or, at least it does in the projected version of the room. In the live version, we suddenly discover a man in a series of unusual horizontal positions as he struggles to get comfortable and explores his tiny space. When the video version of Bonnet leans against a wall, for example, the real live one is sprawled on the floor; when the live Bonnet stands up, his counterpart seems to hover horizontally in space. He discovers some chalk and that he can draw certain objects like a table etc .
Bonnet is terrific as Leo , floating mischievously in mid air like an Indian yogi guru, trying to scale walls like Spiderman … He is nattily dressed in a shirt and waistcoat with a snazzy hat. We see his emotions from lonely and depressed , to scared or exhilarated ,but he perhaps at his enchanting best when he’s surprised by his own discoveries. His exceptional performance includes impressive physical feats and he also has a mesmerizing physical rhythm.
All is tilted on its side and we see Leo draw a table , a chair etc – he also draws a cat a bird and a fish .They become ‘alive’ and eventually the bird flies out the window, the cat follows and in order to protect the fish Leo picks up the fishbowl but accidentally knocks it over – which creates a flood – which leads to a marvellous underwater sequence with divers, a giant fish and swimming…There is a warmth and playfulness and fun narrative that makes this a great show for families and everyone else.
LEO is enchanting audiences at the Opera House June 28- July 13 . Running time an hour no interval
For more about LEO, visithttp://www.sydneyoperahouse.com/whatson/kath/leo.aspx?gclid=CLWov9nGo78CFYwDvAod624A_Q
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