Not Man Apart (NMA), the
Los Angeles-based physical theatre ensemble since 2004, presents John Farmanesh-Bocca’s adaptation of Roman Philosopher
and Playwright Seneca the Younger’s tragedy Hercules Furens (The Madness of Hercules), opening Thursday, June 6
and closing Sunday, June 23, 2013. Hercules
Furens portrays one of the most bitter and grotesque legends of this
half-mortal son of the God Jupiter: Hercules’ maddened slaughter of his own
innocent wife and children. This athletic adaptation performed by the NMA Ensemble
asks, how does a man survive his own unforgivable crimes? Adapted and directed
by John Farmanesh-Bocca and choreographed by
Farmanesh-Bocca, Jones Welsh and the NMA ensemble, the Action follows
the journey of Hercules, Jupiter's son, through his famous Labours and into his
madness when he returns home from battle, induced by the Goddess Juno
(Jupiter's Vengeful Wife). Hercules
Furens was never produced but only read in Seneca's lifetime, it is
considered one of the first plays written that addresses the notion of Post
Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) of soldiers in battle.
NMA is a collective of performers, dancers, actors, designers and theatre
artists who make dance/movement inspired theatre pieces using a mash-up of
theatre traditions, modern technology and poor theatre approach. Cultivating
new storytelling forms from ancient techniques to present thrilling staging of
both modern and classic texts using multi-track scoring, physical prowess,
unconventional dance and movement. NMA was originally commissioned in 2011 by
The Getty Villa to adapt and stage this rarely done Roman Tragedy in a workshop
performance, this production at the Miles Memorial Playhouse located at 1130
Lincoln Blvd. in Santa Monica, is the fully completed World Premiere of Hercules Furens.
The
cast features John F. Bocca (Hercules), Alina
Bolshakova (Nymphs of Juno), Devon Dionne (Nymphs of Juno), Apollo Dukakis
(Amphitryon – Hercules’ Human Father), Courtney Munch (Megara – Hercules’
Wife), Natacha Roi (Juno – Wife of Jupiter), Randolph Rand (Lycus – the Usurper
of Thebes), Eric Dyrhsen (Watchman/Apollo), Noel Arthur (Watchman/Mercury), Jones
Welsh (Watchman/Mars), Harrison Bliss (Son of Hercules), and Catherine Galanti
(Daughter of Hercules).
Praised
by The Hollywood Reporter as a “Futuristic Theatre Company,” by The Los Angeles
Times as “Exhilarating and Propulsive” and as “Exciting and Innovative” and
“Startlingly Refreshing” by the British Theatre Guide, NMA has developed quite
a following both overseas and in their home state of California. Known for
their athletic, intense modern versions of Shakespeare, NMA creates original theatre experiences or reexamine
classics from the physical tradition of Grotowski, Meyerhold and the dance
theatre world, then to share that work both nationally and internationally. Not Man Apart is an internationally touring physical theatre troupe that performs
in a 'poor theatre' style. Maximum effect, with least means, NMA is dedicated
to the creation, development, and progression of new works by emerging artists
in the performing arts, and sponsors many other Los Angeles based artists as a
producer. NMA’s mission is to communicate through many mediums- drama, comedy,
dance, music, original/classical text and multi-media; and to create highly
athletic and innovative theatrical events which are both life affirming and
consciousness expanding; to establish a new kind of physical theatre genre that
is at the same time exciting, relevant, accessible, ineffable and all
inclusive. NMA strives to be among one of the
premiere physical theatre ensembles of the Americas.
Find out what's happening in Santa Monicafor free with the latest updates from Patch.
Tickets are $25. For
tickets and information, please call 818-618-4772; email
admin@notmanapart.com; or visit www.NotManApart.com. The Miles Memorial Playhouse is
located at 1130 Lincoln Blvd. in Santa Monica 90403.
Thursday, June
13 at 8pm
Friday, June 14 at 8pm
Saturday, June 15 at 8pm
Sunday, June 16 at 5pm
Thursday, June 20 at 8pm
Friday, June 21 at 8pm
Saturday, June 22 at 8pm
Sunday, June 23 at 5pm
