BLACKland

This Hungarian production was well-designed to accommodate different sensibilities. It was performed in a sterile environment with a white floor and white doors along the three walls of the stage. The back wall had thirteen doors with slightly high handles and the doors on stage left and right did not have obviously visible handles. Between and above the doors was pink carpeting and a border of children near the ceiling. The cast was dressed in formal wear (black dresses and tuxedos).

The performance was sterile and polite with some extremes such as a rendition of 'Hit Me Baby (One More Time)' with lyrics about sexual abuse against women in Hungary and the violence they take out on their fathers-abuser. Another extreme included three men whose hands were bound (very politely) and then a woman took down their trousers and underpants then used their penises as guns while another man videoed the antics. During all of this, a fellow played acoustic guitar while singing bastardized lyrics to 'Old MacDonald'. At the end of this lengthy scene which involved many denigrating activities with the bound men, the screen upstage left put up a message about George W. Bush being re-elected to presidency.

It was an interesting performance that, while it might have benefited from some editing, was effective. It was playful and serious by turns with an enduring sense of humor and intelligence about contemporary affairs in Hungary and the rest of the world.

I am still processing this performance and may write more later. For now, know that I lapsed into silence throughout the evening because there was so much to be considered.