Review - CBC Manitoba -- July 14, 2004

July 14, 2004

A challenging play to watch (and review), New York's theatre company Firebrand Theory takes pinches from the romantic poetry of William Blake, and brews a confusing and wonderful play of love and love lost. RomAntic aGE is told by using the verses of Blake, which are sorted out brilliantly into a story about a nameless narrator, the archetypal man who loses his wife then wanders earth full of misery, cursing love and God. The language is difficult at first, as is the opening and exaggerated onstage sex between the mans wife and her lover. But the piece unravels its message with ease, and strong performances that help guide the audience through the rich text. The work is sincere and honest, and it seems Blake knows a thing or two about love. As the narrator begins to let go of his pain and open to the words of Joy, there was a moment where I forgot to review and heard words of poetry.