Low Down
This is a beautiful and vibrant production that explores the mind of a Mexican American soldier returning from Iraq. Deeply psychological, 'Melancholia' shows the human cost of war and the mental and emotional illness that it causes. It keeps the audience engrossed throughout and is well worth the ticket price. The term 'Chicano' specifically represents Mexican American ethnicity as opposed to 'Hispanic', it also refers to their consciousness and political struggle.
Review
As opposed to an anti-war play that is polemic or political, 'Melancholia' explores what happens to the mind of a man who has witnessed the horror of war and the inability of those around him to understand.
This is of course not the first time such themes have been explored but this is not so much a drama, and is never melodramatic, Mario returns from Iraq to friends and family and a range of characters that is at once confusing. There are three soldiers - are they three parts of himself? Two clownish characters who try to influence Mario - his good and bad angels perhaps or just delusions inside his head. It is not a linear narrative, going back and forth in flashbacks and nightmares.
If the storyline confuses it is only because one naturally tries to make sense of it. It is not a story so much as a psychological portrayal, flitting between reality and delusion. The focused direction is superb; the acting is strong and confident and the stage-craft imaginative and well choreographed. The action is richly coloured and imbued with the sandy beige glow of melancholia - and perhaps the Mexican American conciousness.
The actors all have white painted faces, making them seem ghostly and sick like Mario's mind. The domestic scenes are heartfelt and kept to a minimum, thus avoiding sentimentality, instead the action is concentrated on the wild imaginings of Mario, desperate to be free of his memories. This is a very strong piece of theatre that is in the end bleak, yet honest and brave throughout.
Reviewed by FLM 23/08/2007
