Brightness infuses the evening from the off in
a visually spectacular feast that was superbly received during its run at the Young Vic and Trafalgar Square studios and is a highly polished production.
Loosely inspired by Gustav Meyrink’s 1914 novel, Golem initially depicts the bleak lives of siblings Annie and Robert, living with their Beethoven-loving and anarchy-approving grandmother. Dark comedy arises from Robert’s crippling inability to express his love for co-worker Joy, whilst Annie attempts to overcome their socially-created rut by forming a progressive rock band of supposed revolutionary outlaws, named Annie and the Underdogs.
Fifteen years pass without the band performing a single gig, until Robert buys a Golem, a man made of clay, who will obey his every command. Robert’s life is completely transformed as the Golem’s obedience helps him achieve his every desire. But as the automaton and his continual advancements appear to improve the lives of the household, this obedience transforms into dominance and, finally, control.
With the purveyance of technology and its hold on us an oft-told story, Golem occasionally hammers home its message with none too fine a point, however 1927 have succeeded in creating a new twist that tells of the dangers of technology through its use. Ironic comedy is extracted from the numerous tragic instances and the original desire of the family to rebel against the established social order results in both Robert and his grandmother entering a new one.
1927’s production is a gem of a show. Suzanne Andrade (writer and director) along with Paul Barritt (animator and designer) have created a visually spectacular feast that was superbly received during its run at the Young Vic and Trafalgar Square studios and is a highly polished production. For a society obsessed with moving with the times, this is an ingenious reflection of our ever-increasing technological age delivered to sparkling and animated effect.
