36 Views: a lesson in Japanese art history
The play title makes reference to 36 Views of Mount Fuji, a series of 46 large, color woodblock prints by the Japanese artist Katsushika Hokusai. This wasn’t clear until well into the 2-hour play presented by "Tempus Theatre":http://tempustheatre.com/ so I spent a good part of the production trying to figure out the title and the significance of the number 36. Perhaps 36 was the number of previously viewed performances of this newly formed theatre company presenting its second production? Could 36 have been the number of different art projections viewed on the black curtains during the show?
Watching *36 Views*, I also thought that perhaps there had been 36 different artists contributing their viewpoint to the writing and directing of this play because the play didn’t feel like it came out of one script. Instead running like multiple short pieces interwoven together z—a mix of dialogue and poetry, of antique and contemporary, of visual and auditory representation — the result felt both disjointed and beautiful at times.
Written by Naomi Iizuka, *36 Views* centered on the tale of an art forgery. Following the discovery of an antique “pillow book”, the bedside diary of a learned Japanese woman from centuries ago, and the resulting excitement amongst art dealers and scholarly art historians alike, the play examined questions of authenticity, beauty and truth within the visual arts, cultural tradition and human relationships.
Michael Kopsa was perfect as Darius Wheeler, the poised and unscrupulous art dealer. His stage presence was unmatched by the other actors. But the problem with Iizuka’s script was that it lacked character development,leaving little room for Kopsa to explore the truths and frauds of his person and profession. He came across as remarkably one dimensional, which was a shame for such as strong actor. This was particularly evident in the short-lived romance between Darius Wheeler and art historian Setsuko Hearn (played by Lissa Neptuno). Their interaction was awkward, forced and lacked complexity from the first meeting to the sexual act to the dissolution. Though Neptuno played her role with a sweet naiveté, I would have liked to see the characters develop to show more emotion and depth.
Tempus Theatre’s production of *36 Views* had moments of brilliance within it. Valerie Sing Turner was refreshing as a young, spunky mixed media artist. Her physical energy, funky costumes and hairstyles oozed charm and promise every time she set foot on the stage. My favourite moment was near the beginning of the play, when a young Japanese girl undressed from a layered kimono. The long extensions of silk fabric twisted off and across the stage like colourful flags. Moments such as these showcased the artistic skills within Tempus Theatre, including the costume design of Nina Prelog and the direction of Anthony F. Ingram, and make it a theatre company to watch.
_36 Views is produced by Tempus Theatre. Written by Naomi Iikuka, directed by Anthony F. Ingram. Starring Michael Kopsa, Lissa Neptuno, Bert Steinmanis, Valerie Sing Turner, Keith Martin Gordey and Annabel Kershaw. Running until May 23, 2009 at the Jericho Arts Centre. For more information go_ "here":http://tempustheatre.com/