As I entered the BAM theatre, I was taken aback by how beautiful the ceiling was. The art work in the bar was also so amazing. It looked so lively. When I sat down, I felt as though I would fall face front. We were so high, and it seemed so steep. I found myself constantly leaning forward to watch the show. It made me feel on edge. In all honesty, I did not enjoy “Café Muller”. I do not like repetition in my life. I do not like feeling like I am doing the same thing every day, I do not like hearing the same words repeated to me, and I do not like to repeat myself. The repetition in this piece almost made me want to close my eyes and go to sleep. The description itself claims that the piece centers around “perpetual disappointment”. I know that the piece is about a sleepwalker, but I think it resembled more of an asylum. The man in the all black suit reminded me of an asylum-keeper who wanted all the patients to act in the “same orderly fashion”. It was quite eerie to me. Also, when I heard the man and woman continuously hit each other on the wall, I could feel their pain. Their internal and external pain must have been very exhausting especially since it was perpetual pain and disappointment. In stark contrast, I enjoyed “The Rites of Spring”. As I saw all the performers were dressed in the same neutral tone it brought several ideas to my head. The first thought that crossed my head was of as short film I watched in high school. This film put animals that kept following each other side by side to busting humans in a train station. The point of the film was to show us how humans are always so similar to each other. Our actions and movements are quite unoriginal at times. When we are all running around in the subway catching our trains, we all basically look the same. If it were not for physical appearance, what would be the difference between us humans and the lamb? Furthermore, does that have anything to do with us also being animals? The second thought that I had was similar to the first. I read an article once speaking of how people, especially teenagers, tend to wear the same things. This has never been truer. Although, we do not have a uniform we are uniformed. We all have our Nikes and Adidas in the same color all in the name of “fashion” and “trends”. However, what are we besides branding tools? Back to the ballet, the theme of uniformity continued as men and women were in separate groups dancing in sync. There were no direct differences between these people. Then, there was a hot pink object in the center. This object seemed to bring fear and curiosity. Then, the object changed one of the women from being a part of the uniform clan. This part intrigued me as it related so much to our current situation in society. Men flaunt the concept of virginity as if it is a prize. It also displayed the notion that if someone wanted to, were forced to, or were naturally different, they would be ostracized by society. This is evidently why most people choose to stay in the perpetual cycle of unoriginality and similarity.
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I also was taken in awe by the ceilings and overall architecture of the museum itself. It definitely added to the opera’s ambience. I also felt on edge like you stated when watching the play, it was not something I was used to. When the man and woman were hitting each other as well, I felt their frustration due to the amount of times they were doing it throughout the play as well. Great blog!
I completely relate to your feelings on Café Müeller. I couldn’t stand the repetition. I know the majority of the audience was laughing at it, but I just found it to be a waste of time.
In regards to The Rites of Spring, I really love the short anecdote you included. I think the connection you made between the film you watched in high school and the performance was brilliant.
My favorite thing you wrote is that “Our actions and movements are quite unoriginal at times.” That couldn’t be more true.
Great work!