I was very disappointed by the performance of Quartet at BAM last night. To begin, I sat in the last row to the far right of the theater. The direction was not catered towards the back of the audience. Not only could I not see any of the actor’s facial expressions, but I was also extremely distracted. Since the dialogue was in French, there was a screen for English subtitles. The screen was hung on the ceiling and the text was written in a translucent white. I could not fully read the text and it also sped by at an impossible rate to keep up with.

I wish I knew French while watching Quartett. If I did, I would have been able to concentrate on the actors more as well as understand the content further. I did notice the performers moved very subtly to the music and made sudden movements and gestures according to the music, as learned that Muller followed the score of each music piece. Also, the text itself was amazingly well thought out in making the adultery and hatred and love, smash together at the center of the character's dialogues and monologues; least to say, I loved the entire play.

Going to the poetry readying at Macaulay, made me realize that poetry readings are more than just reading out a poem. We were presented to 4 different writers; each had their own writing style, each had their own way to present it. What I found interesting that the way we present a poem has to reflect what the poem is about. When the writing reflects grief it cannot be read loudly with a happy intonation. Contrary it has to be presented slowly, with respect to writer’s intention.

I still remember Quartett. I still remember how, even though I tried researching the story it was based on (Le Liaisons Dangereuses) I still was confused by the story. I remember how it was like a freakshow; wild, avant-garde, and quite edgy, and still (and probably because of this) I loved it. I loved its play between Valmont and the Marquise, not knowing who was playing who. (Valmont said he was a woman, which confused me.) I loved its lighting, its use of rock and rap (seeing Valmont rap was hilarious and fascinating) and its minimalistic yet striking sets.

 After arriving at the theater, I realized the place in itself was a real beauty. It looked a bit run down but in a classy, timeless way rather than dirty and unkempt. As the performance began I noticed that there were five actors which contrasts the traditional two actors that play four roles. Additionally, the fifth actor played a fifth role which was not seen in the original script. His exact purpose still remains fuzzy to me, but he seemed to be the ice breaker, the comedian, the entertainer.