The Privateer at Transatlantic Love Affair

With the new production, The Privateer, playing at the Illusion Theater through November 18, Transatlantic Love Affair once again presents an epic tale at a very human scale.

The performers use just their bodies and voices to create the characters and their environments. Music, composed and performed by Dustin Tessler, and lights, designed by Michael Wangen, add to the atmosphere, although the focus is always on the acting ensemble.

Pirates have always been a fascinating component of popular culture, even though the actual time period in which most of the stories take place was very short. Loosely based on a true story, The Privateer tells of a wealthy man obsessed with stories of pirates who decides to take to the high seas. He knows nothing of sailing or real-life pirates, but he has money to buy a boat and hire a crew, and that is enough to cause a world of trouble for everyone involved.

L-R: John Stephens, Antonio Duke, Heather Bunch, Nora Montañez,
China Brickley, Allison Witham, and Eric Marinus. Photo: Lauren B Photography.

In 1717 New York colony, this clueless dandy decides to become a privateer, even after his request for permission to work as an agent of the British government is denied. It's difficult to build a story around an unsympathetic character, but Heather Bunch does a good job of making the character more oblivious than malicious. His standoffish relationship with his fluttering wife, disregard of his loyal servants, and overwhelming sense of entitlement seemed spot-on. (I'll admit that I may have been primed for her portrayal of this over-the-top dandy by all the historical romances I've been reading lately.)

As always, the ensemble is wonderful, and TLA core company member Derek Lee Miller, who conceived and directed the piece, creates the feeling of being aboard a ship and presents some wonderful set pieces of battles at sea. There were a few times when it wasn't clear where the action was happening, but for the most part, the performers seamlessly transition from enacting the privateer's crew to forming parts of the ship to playing rival pirates. Allison Witham does a terrific job as a disgruntled sailor, famed pirate Blackbeard, and even a mule. China Brickey is first funny as the fluttering wife, and then touching as the man of business charged with running the ship.

At 90 minutes without intermission, the show felt a little long, given that Bunch's character never seems to learn or adapt, although the rest of the crew certainly do. The Privateer isn't magical in the way of TLA shows like Ash Land or The Ballad of the Pale Fisherman, but it tells a unique story in a new setting, and it's always amazing to see this group build a world onstage. Compared to TLA, traditional theater seems staid and stale, so their shows are always worth seeing.

105 Proof - Transatlantic Love Affair at Illusion Theater

We first saw 105 Proof: or, the Killing of Mack "the Silencer" Klein at the 2015 Fringe Festival. Since then, the show has gotten a bit longer and added a couple of new scenes, but seems to be largely the same show. I'm sure the company is that much more in sync now, which is always a strong point to a Transatlantic Love Affair show.

We LOVE Transatlantic Love Affair. Since seeing Ash Land, we haven't missed a show. The way this company puts together shows is unlike anything else I have ever seen.

The show is conceived and directed by Diogo Lopes, and created by the ensemble. Each actor is a vital element to the show, as an entire world is created from their movement and bodies. Evocative music and sound from onstage guitarist Dustin Tessier and percussionist Adam June (Patterson) and spare but effective lighting designed by Barry Browning help to create a compelling setting for this story.

TLA frequently adapts their shows from classic folk and fairy tales, but they're branching out this time into a quintessentially American story: the humble beginnings and violent rise to power of a bootlegging gangster during Prohibition. According to Lopes's director's notes, he wanted to "explore a genre, popular in movies but rarely seen in theater - the action thriller." 105 Proof follows a young man from Wyatt County, Illinois, as he discovers the money and power available to people willing to ruthlessly exploit people's thirst for illegal alcohol.

The performing company of eight actors create a small town--from the swinging entrance door of the general store, to the rocking chairs on a front porch, to the backyard still--and all of the people who inhabit it. Later on, the action moves to the hangout for Mack Klein's gang in Chicago, populated by tough characters.

TLA core ensemble members Heather Bunch, Derek Lee Miller, and Allison Witham each create sweet sincere small-town characters as well as hired guns you wouldn't want to meet in a dark alley. They are ably joined by Amber Bjork, Emily Dussault, Eric Marinus, Nick Saxton, and Nick Wolf, and all are terrific in their human and nonhuman roles.

105 Proof is darker than the other TLA shows I've seen. The depiction of violence is terrifyingly effective, and the gangsters appallingly amoral. It's a riveting story, told in classic TLA style, but I didn't connect with it on the personal level I have with their other shows. The crime drama isn't necessarily my favorite genre, but of course it's terrific. If you have seen other TLA shows, well, you've probably already got your tickets. If you haven't, it's an exciting introduction to their unique style of storytelling, and will hold the attention of even the least-enthusiastic theatergoers.

105 Proof runs through November 20 at the Illusion Theater. The top ticket price is $27, which is a bargain for the entertainment value wrapped up in this swift, tightly told tale.

If you're wondering about Transatlantic Love Affair, here are our writeups of previous TLA shows:
These Old Shoes
Emilie/Eurydice
The Ballad of the Pale Fisherman

TLA's next show will be in the Dowling Studio at the Guthrie, January 27-February 12, part of their Level Nine series. It's set to be "a reimagining of Hansel and Gretel as a tale of immigration." Not sure what that means, but as always, I'll be there!

The Ballad of the Pale Fisherman - Transatlantic Love Affair

Transatlantic Love Affair brings an enchanting fable to life (again) at the Southern Theater through June 17. The Ballad of the Pale Fisherman first appeared in the 2010 Fringe Festival, and the company expanded the piece for Illusion Theater's Lights Up! festival in 2011. At that point, I had not yet seen and fallen in love with this group's work, so I was thrilled that they brought it back and I could actually see it.

The story is based on Scottish and Irish legends of the selkies, who live in the sea as seals, but can shed their skins and assume human form on land. But the call of the sea is strong, even when the selkie finds love on dry land. In a fishing village on a remote island, tales of the creatures abound, and a fisherman casting his net might pull in more than he bargained for.

If you have not seen a Transatlantic Love Affair show, this is a lovely introduction to their work. On a bare stage, seven ensemble members create the whole world of the show, from the fishermen at work, to the women mending nets, to the harbor bell and the sea itself, with just their bodies, voices, and faces. Our collective imagination fills in the details, which is something exciting to experience, though a little hard to describe.

As always, the ensemble is superb under the direction of Isabel Nelson. Diogo Lopes portrays a young boy who grows to be a fisherman, following in his family's footsteps. Emily King is wonderful both as the slightly ethereal young woman and as the sea creature. Heather Bunch and Adelin Phelps are comic and tragic as the elders of the village who have seen a lot in their time. As both an old fisherman with a story of his own and a young one eager to leave the island, Alex Hathaway is alternately wistful and brash.

Allison Witham, always one of our favorites to watch, has amazing physicality as an old woman, a bartender, and even a seal. But all of the ensemble play many roles; human, creature, and objects we think of as inanimate. Derek Lee Miller provides an original accordion score and serves as the narrator, who knows the story all too well. Anna Reichert's costumes are a backdrop for the many roles of the players. The only non-human effect on stage is the gorgeously evocative lighting from Mike Wangen, the Twin Cities' theater lighting MVP.

Transatlantic Love Affair is absolutely one of our favorite theater companies in the Twin Cities, and The Ballad of the Pale Fisherman is an enchanting fable beautifully brought to life in the company's distinctive and arresting style.

BTW: If you want to dive into the world of selkie stories on film, there's a great list here, which includes The Secret of Roan Inish, the 1994 John Sayles film which introduced me to this fascinating legend.

Transatlantic Love Affair's emilie/eurydice at the Illusion

What can I say about Transatlantic Love Affair that I haven't already struggled to say? I'm out of superlatives.

The vitals from Transatlantic Love Affair:

Conceived and Directed by Isabel Nelson
Created by the Ensemble.
November 5-21 2015
Emilie/Eurydice, a new work, investigates themes of enduring love and ambiguous loss in the modern world. When a young woman (Emilie) falls into a coma following a catastrophic accident, her loved ones must walk the line between impossible hope and inexorable grief; learning when to fight, and how to let go.
Meanwhile, on the other side of the veil, Emilie embarks on a journey apart...

I love theater for so many reasons, and I choose among the majillion offerings in the Twin Cities for equally varied reasons. Maybe it's a musical I've never seen (this week's tour of Beautiful) or a particular actor whose work I love (Frankie and Johnny at Casting Spells).

And then there are the theater companies whose work I will see--no matter what. Transatlantic Love Affair is at the top of my list. They could title their shows like Woody Allen titles his works-in-progress, "Transatlantic Love Affair 2015 Show" and I would still line up to see it.

Transatlantic Love Affair describes themselves as "a physical theatre ensemble. As an artistic community, we value the role of collaboration in the creation of original work; we commit ourselves to the imaginative telling of relevant stories; we believe the human body to be the ultimate theatrical instrument."

This means no sets, no props, minimal costuming and the actors tell the story through their physical selves, the lighting (exquisitely done as usual by Mike Wangen), and music (Emily Dantuma on cello).

I hate to say too much about this particular show--with TLA, the joy of discovery is a great part of the art. I will say this: If you have ever spent time with a loved one in a hospital room, this play will be familiar, poignant and a little bit funny. Even the smallest details of life in a waiting room are given new humor and perspective in this play.

A few performances by the marvelous TLA ensemble are worth singling out: Allison Witham, as Emilie's regular nurse, has the perfect friendly but professional demeanor that makes you wish for a nurse like her. It's so delightful to see Joy Dolo as well. She adds touches of humor to even the toughest scenes--her timing is fabulous. And of course, as Emilie, Heather Bunch both plays infinite stillness with seeming ease, and a range of emotions. She is utterly lovely and heart-rending in this role.

I can't say more. You should go. This is exquisite theater that speaks straight to the heart.

You Must See This Play: These Old Shoes by Transatlantic Love Affair

What can I say about a show that makes even a jaded theatergoer (like myself) cry?

I've been really struggling with how to write about These Old Shoes by Transatlantic Love Affair, currently running at Illusion Theater (now thru Valentine's Day).

I mean, clearly, you should see it.  But how do I talk about it without ruining the mystery and charm of Transatlantic Love Affair's work?  As for me, I went into this show totally blind.  I'd heard how amazing their past productions were, especially last year's Ash Land, and resolved not to miss another of their productions.

So, here's the plot summary:

Surrounded by moving boxes and a grandfather clock, an old man is learning to say goodbye as the time approaches to leave his life-long home for a "retirement community." Brimming with humor and heart, this story of second chances follows the bread crumb trail of memory in hopes of finding something that was once lost.

And a little bit about TLA: (both quotes from their website)

Transatlantic Love Affair is a physical theatre ensemble specializing in collaboratively created original work and theatrical storytelling.

So, in short, this is a play about Jim, who is leaving his home and moving into a retirement home after the death of his wife, with the help of his granddaughter.  The play goes back and forth through time from Jim's youth to the present day, and also explores the lives (present and past) of his soon-to-be neighbors in the home. It's performed through spare, ingenious, movement-based storytelling, accompanied by also spare, but nearly perfect music by Dustin Tessier.

I hate to say more except that I have hardly ever been so emotionally touched by a show.  This show spoke to me so personally, and yet, with its themes of aging, it's amazingly universal.  It's a warm, respectful, and heartfelt look at aging, and a marvelously romantic exploration of love lost and found. This is a show that spoke directly to my heart and I know that it's a show that I will never forget.  Just to be sure, though?  I'm seeing it again.

I wish I could say more, to describe the grace notes in the performances, the transitions, the beauty in their work, but I hate to spoil anyone's first viewing. All I can say is that now that I have found this theater company, I will not make the mistake of missing any of their productions again.  Join me!  Go see this show!

Here's the scoop on the remaining shows. If you can catch a talkback, I highly recommend it. Their process is really fascinating!
Thursday, February 5, 2015 at 8:00 PM - Talkback with members of ArtSage MN
Friday, February 6, 2015 at 8:00 PM
Saturday, February 7, 2015 at 8:00 PM
Sunday, February 8, 2015 at 7:00 PM - Talkback
Wednesday, February 11, 2015 at 10:00 AM
Thursday, February 12, 2015 at 8:00 PM - Talkback
Friday, February 13, 2015 at 8:00 PM
Saturday, February 14, 2015 at 8:00 PM

And a few credits:

Conceived & Directed by Diogo Lopes
Created by the Ensemble
Written in Collaboration with Gemma Irish
Music Composed and Performed by Dustin Tessier