Staying true to yourself and your beliefs in a complex world can be tricky. Standing up against governments, especially those which embrace totalitarianism, can be positively dangerous.
A relationship threatened by anti-queer laws in 2055
Ants And Other Strong Things is presented at the Rubin Theatre as part of Prague Fringe in its 23rd year, its black box studio setting consisting of little more than a series of drinks crates and coat stand. The backdrop screen tells us that the events unfolding are in the future, the year 2055.
There has been a civil war and society is fragmented, with power landing in the hands of the International Cyberspace Order (ICO). Charlie (Magdaléna Škerenčák) and Maya (Manuela Tabarés) have embarked upon a relationship, quietly evolving into lifetime commitment. Their lives and relationship are, however, threatened by anti-queer laws and they face a choice: conform to the new world order, flee or hide.
Performing in a second language is never easy (take this from someone who has delivered presentations in a foreign language); it’s not just the words, it’s the rhythm and pace. While to my native English ear it mildly jarred at times, Škerenčák and Tabarés are very much to be applauded for this endeavour. Their relationship is established and believable, credit to director Raynar Rogers. Škerenčák is a gifted storyteller, while conveying a nervous energy; Tabarés easily draws us in. At one point in the text, one of the characters states, “you’re very watchable”; well, they both are. Not every staging choice worked, but overall it is a successful performance, delivered with charm.
Prague City University’s use of Kate Bush’s Cloudbusting was poignant: the juxtaposition of “I just know that something good is going to happen” with “I can't hide you from the Government” is the manifestation of the feeling of hope in the midst of their well-founded emotional fear.
Some ants can carry 50 times their body weight – but not all strength is physical: can Maya and Charlie find what is necessary to adapt and survive the futuristic regime ?
Current protests in Tbilisi, Tehran and Israel, to name but three, show the very real dangers to protestors seeking change or even just recognition. Queer rights are under threat in many parts of the world today, in these allegedly enlightened times. Ants And Other Strong Things shows us that some things never change.
