Einstein on the Beach

Synopsis

Einstein on the Beach breaks all of the rules of conventional opera. Instead of a traditional orchestral arrangement, Glass chose to compose the work for the synthesisers, woodwinds and voices of the Philip Glass Ensemble. Non-narrative in form, the work uses a series of powerful recurrent images as its main storytelling device shown in juxtaposition with abstract dance sequences created by American choreographer Lucinda Childs. It is structured in four interconnected acts and divided by a series of short scenes or "knee plays". Taking place over five hours, there is no intermission, however the audience is invited to enter and exit at liberty during the performance

Our Review:

6 May 2012

There’s an air of electricity and anticipation in the foyer of the Barbican theatre. Expensive hair and fur coats mingle with edgy hipsters and intellectual corduroy. This is a big night: Robert Wilson and Philip Glass' Einstein on the Beach was first staged in France in 1976 and brought them to the notice of the world. Since that unveiling, it’s been called one of the most important works of the 20th century. Two decades have passed since its last production and it has never been staged in this country… until now. It's exciting.

"It's autodidactic. You learn how to see it by seeing it. The piece teaches you how to see it. The piece teaches you how to hear it," says Robert Wilson in the programme. As a member of the audience, you're definitely starting from scratch. Usual short-hand is removed or skewed and the brain is challenged to give up trying to fit this experience into the usual slots in its search for meaning. Sense is removed. Either you l...

Read more of the review

Latest User Review

coral - 10 May 2012:

Very, Very Good.....OMG...very, very good...

Read more and add your own review

Related Whatsonstage.com Articles

Einstein beached at Barbican More»