The Ohio University School of Theater is presenting a dark comedy with production techniques that will be unfamiliar to most audience members.
The Wonderful World of Dissocia, directed by graduate student Elenna Mosoff, is a twisted mix of Alice in Wonderland and The Wizard of Oz. Its playwright, Anthony Neilson, has said audiences will enjoy the play if they thought Alice in Wonderland didn't have enough sex and violence.
When traveling in Europe for five months, Mosoff saw new ways to help the audience interact with the scenes. Instead of the traditional backgrounds, Mosoff incorporates scenic projections that show people walking around an airport and the main character, Lisa, walking around the Land of Lost Property.
I want (the audience) to think
'I didn't know theater could be like that ' Mosoff said. The production has included hundreds of hours of collaboration with animation and film people, she said.
In the play, Lisa (Lisa Summerscales), a British woman suffering from dissociative disorder, sends her broken watch to a Swedish watchmaker because it's always an hour late no matter how many times she fixes it. Victor (Eric Brakey), the strange watchmaker, tells her balance will not be restored to her life unless she travels to the Land of Dissocia.
Every character in The Wonderful World of Dissocia brings laughter and nonsense to the play. All of them represent non-human concepts and beings such as a scapegoat no one blames, insecurity guards and a man who lost his humor.
Laughter is a big part of the play, Mosoff said. Lisa is full of laughter as she reaches Dissocia, but becomes agitated and more serious as she learns the land's secrets.
Dissocia's Queen Sarah is missing, and the armies of the Black Dog are trying to take over all of Dissocia. Lisa learns the inhabitants of Dissocia are trying to keep her from finding her hour, and chaos ensues.
I want people to question the values of chaos versus order. What's better: order or chaos? Mosoff said. I think the best way to go in is to not know what to expect.
The play is for mature audiences because it incorporates rape and mental illnesses. There is also some nudity, and parents should be careful bringing children under 13.
lm848906@ohiou.edu
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Culture
Lauren Mikolay
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From left to right: Jake Moushey, Carmen Carfagna, Michael Davis, Katie Weber, Brandy Hayes, and Eric Brakey, the inhabitants of Dissocia, cower and plead, Protect us from the Black Dog Night! during rehearsal in the Elizabeth Baker Theater on Monday, November 2, 2009. The Wonderful World of Dissocia opens at 8 tonight in Kanter's Elizabeth Baker Theater. (Dustin Lennert | For The Post)
Those in attendance will enjoy play 'if they thought Alice in Wonderland didn't have enough sex and violence'
