Saturday, September 6, 2008

Ten West (2008 Clown theatre Festival)

Ten West
With Jon Monastero & Stephen Simon
Directed by Bryan Coffee

This is a new show for these two veteran performers having performed it very few times before bringing it to the NY Clown Festival and it is a nice little journey, having some very strong traditional/non-traditional images they work with. These two performers have excellent technique using mime, juggle, voice, movement and props. They breakaway from the famous rule of three a little when performing various bits and I would love to see them breakaway more from that rule. As some people know I am not a fan of that rule. All the bits are integrated and not forced into the show. One thing that I always like to see is performers taking one theme and going with it rather than a show made up of lots of little bits.

When they previewed on the opening night they did not do a piece from their show but rather a piece that they did many times which was excellent and one of the best piece of the night. They used music multidimensionally, rather than as a crutch, which is often with many performers and usually not needed or used to fill up space. In Ten West their new shows use of music is used more traditionally rather than multidimensional, but as this show grows I am sure that will as well. Ten West is a growing show and it has a lot of potential.

Speaking with Jon and Stephen they told me that they study with John Achorn in LA. John is an old friend of mine from when I was running my solo show in LA for 6 months many decades ago. John was mentored by the famous Carlo Mazzone-Clementi and I personally believe John has more Carlo knowledge than anyone I know. So if you are in the LA area check out John Achorn as he has Commedia dell’Arte classes that are starting up. John is also a director, writer and actor.

Ten West has one more show Sunday September 7th at 7 PM

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