anika in london

I went and watched an electro opera about Charles Darwin, with music written by The Knife. Probably the most bewildering thing I have ever tried to understand. Here is a photo:

My reaction to this character was: huh?

He did a lot of strutting and rolling on the floor a bit. He didn’t say anything.

Then there was this girl:

I was like: what?

She did a lot of twirls and wandering about.

Then there was this chap:

Here is a thought that I had in my brain while I watched him:

Q: What is he carrying?

A: Looks like a thingy you’d take camping.

Q: Why is he carrying that?

A: He’s going camping? Oh wait, no he’s not.

Q: Why is he wearing that jumper?

A: Cos it’s a bit pretty and probably warm and practical in winter.

Then I decided to just accept I do not understand him.

Let’s focus on this lady instead:

She did lots of operatic singing that I could not understand and had to watch the subtitles above the stage. She was singing in English but she just sang a bit funny. She did lots of slow walking and moving about.

These guys thought they were in the Matrix:

Yes, I understood a whole 0% of that 80 minute performance.

Barbican says this, of the opera:

“The opera presents an image of Darwin that above all reminds us that the world is a place of remarkable similarities and amazing diversity. That over time – tomorrow, in a year, or tomorrow, in a million years – change is inevitable. “

It was very pretty to look at and the dancing was great and the music sounded wonderful, but all I could think was WHAT IS THIS ALL ABOUT?!??!!?!? Visually stunning but so confusing.

I did enjoy it though and I’d love to watch it again so maybe I understand 4% of it or something.