Actors, audience share
By Leila Fujimori
stage in unscripted
‘Tango’
Star-BulletinThe timing couldn't be better. Cruel Theatre's "Strange Tango," an interactive theater event, opens this weekend, a week after the film "Eyes Wide Shut" premiered. Both share the themes of sexual obsession and monogamy.
"Our show differs in that it is an exploration and then an acceptance in relationships," said director-actor Taurie Kinoshita. "Even in a twisted, obsessive or neurotic relationship, both parties make a choice to be there."
The presentation deals with jealousy and wanting to "own" another person. "We're using the title 'Strange Tango' because one party is leading this relationship to do this dance," the 25-year-old director said. "Then sometimes you switch off. It's a give and take."
But this is no ordinary stage play. The interactive production puts two audience members in the spotlight as they join two actors at tables in a real bar. Along with their tickets, they pick up costumes and some directions for interacting with the characters.
'STRANGE TANGO'
Where: Attendance extremely limited; call for location
The rest of the audience is also seated at tables while the bar operates around them as usual. The viewing audience is limited to four for the first show and six for the second show, but not for every production.
"Because it's only two audience members and two actors, it's a very real experience," said Kinoshita.
There is no script for "Strange Tango," just improvisation. Cruel Theatre cast members spent eight weeks preparing for it. Sam Shepard's play "Fool for Love" served as the basis for the production, as did Edward Albee's "Who's Afraid of Virginia Wolff?"
As with any of their productions, the group begins with improvisation, then method acting to brainstorm ideas. Characters are later devised. In the last two or three weeks, the actors prepare for what audience participants may say.
When it's show time, some audience participants are passive while others portray strong characters.
So how far are these amateurs allowed or expected to go? They talk but don't touch. And actors aren't supposed to touch the amateurs. And if an amateur tries to inappropriately touch an actor, the other actor will attempt to defuse the situation by saying something like, "Oh, you're trying to make me jealous."
But actors do touch each other in this production. "There's a little fooling around," Kinoshita said. "There is kissing, of course, and people rubbing up against each other." She rates the show "R" for mature audiences.
She compares the production to a movie because of its intimate setting. "Every nuance of the actor can be read -- the sharp intake of breath, moving an eyebrow," Kinoshita said.
"This kind of theater has never been done before in the United States," Kinoshita said. "It's very new and only being done in Europe." She saw it performed by a London theater group in New York, which prompted her to start Cruel Theatre.
Response to the group has been positive, said Kinoshita, a University of Hawaii graduate student who wants to reinvent and revitalize theater, so that it becomes as regularly patronized as movies.
"Theater has to keep up with changing times," she said.
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