Worm-Hole (Minnesota Reviews)
Minnie Media Reviews
ARCHIVE EDITOR'S NOTE --- The following reviews are in connection with Niki's engagements during the 2002 Minnesota Fringe Festival held from August 2-11 in Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA. These reviews are from media websites, and include both audience and official critic reviews.
WORM-HOLE WORMS WAY INTO YOUR HEART --- All the way from Somerset, England, Niki McCretton brings us one of the most innovative and captivating shows of this year's Fringe. Worm-Hole is a curious amalgamation of theater, dance, mime and physical comedy. Directed by Judy Preston, it is alternately funny and serious, following a young nun as she performs the daily rituals of devotion. A big hit at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival in 2001, Worm-Hole is a highly-choreographed and well-rehearsed work. McCretton's performance invites comparisons to Beckett and Ionesco. She inhabits and transforms the space onstage through the repetition of simple acts: opening boxes, eating, writing, polishing the table, locking and unlocking the door. As in many Beckett works, her character seems caught in an environment with no escape - confined in a single room, she often appears to be waiting, watching for someone who does not come. But whereas Beckett sometimes seems bent on rendering the audience as bored and mad as his characters, McCretton gives us the promise of change - and that's what keeps you hooked.
(Kim Surkan - TwinCities.Com - August 2002)
WORM-HOLE TREADS ON ORWELLIAN TERRITORY --- Niki McCretton hails from Somerset, England, but her aesthetic seems American - that is, if you still count ex-pat director Robert Wilson as a citizen. Her intricate show, which treads on Orwellian territory, alludes to Wilson's epic physical theater while injecting bits of Beckett-style chaos into the mix. McCretton portrays a bizarre nun who inhabits a room where she's manipulated by an unseen force. This delusional dynamic introduces surprises into her daily routine, as she communicates countless emotions with nary a word. Mind you, this one requires the patience of a saint sometimes, but McCretton's splendid sense of detail is worth the devotion.
(Caroline Palmer - CityPages.Com - August 2002)
POSTCARD FROM THE FRINGE (WORM-HOLE EXCERPT) --- Niki McCretton, a solo dancer from Somerset, England - where the cider is good and the dancers are well-trained - has an act she calls Worm-Hole which she performs in a top-to-toe nun’s habit. She is lithe and a pleasure to watch, but her dance - something about forms of worship - puzzled us.
(Marty & Martha Roth - PulseTC.Com - August 2002)
WORM-HOLE: A BRILLIANT CONCEPTION --- Brilliantly conceived and stunningly performed, Worm-Hole - by writer-dancer-teacher Niki McCretton from Somerset, England - is, on the surface, the tale of a novice devotee who willingly embraces the trappings of monastic life only to become frustrated and disenchanted with the sterility of her environment. But this is no simple tale of escape from dogmatic ritual. Look deeper into Ms. McCretton's fluid, seamless performance in this multi-layered work and you uncover a complex allegory with references to the subservience of women in a male-dominated society, our dependence on science to cure all our ills, and our unquestioning obedience to the dictates of political/economic ideologies. A combination of interpretive dance, mime and athletic physicality, Worm-Hole is carefully and expertly crafted. From set design to choice of music to the smallest or briefest physical movement, everything conveys meaning. There is no filler here. And Ms. McCretton complements her flawless performance with an economy of dialogue and the right touch of absurdity. You could easily return for a second viewing, and find something new and exciting in this fabulous performance. Really no surprise that Worm-Hole received an official Five-Star Review at last year's Edinburgh Fringe Festival. It's almost "beyond fringe" ... it's just that good.
(Robin Chase - StarTribune.Com Review Forum - August 2002)
Minnie Mayor Lauds Niki
ARCHIVE EDITOR'S NOTE --- The following official superlative was received 9 August 2002 from Mr. R. T. Rybak, Mayor of Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA, in connection with Niki's performance of Worm-Hole at the Minnesota Fringe Festival. Mayor Rybak attended one show in which, as Niki herself said, she was at the top of her form. We would like to express our appreciation to Mayor Rybak for taking the time to send us his official comments:
"I've been telling people all over that they have to see Worm-Hole which I think is absolutely brilliant. Worm-Hole was the highlight of this year's Minneapolis Fringe Festival. Niki McCretton's movement and expression lulls you in as you find yourself beginning to understand the isolation, monotony and insight of the character. In many ways, it also helps provide insight into how all of us break patterns in our daily lives to suddenly see outside ourselves. I certainly hope Niki McCretton comes back with a new show for next year's Festival."
Vox Fringe Reviews
ARCHIVE EDITOR'S NOTE --- The Minnesota Fringe Festival 2002 Website gave Fringe enthusiasts the excellent opportunity to wax eloquent about their favourite shows/performers through a process known as Vox Fringe. Registrants could post reviews, etc. to the Discussion Board with its numerous forums and also post reviews to a show's own Show Details Webpage. Following are Worm-Hole reviews from both locations. The first two are from the Discussion Board with the others from the Worm-Hole Show Details Page.
BE IMMERSED ... THINK LATER --- I saw the show entitled Worm-Hole while it was in Winnipeg and I was left in awe at its conclusion. The work is brilliantly crafted in its precision of detail, and the careful timing which builds until I could not help but celebrate as the performer finally walked out. The set design is beautiful in its blending of warm colours, perfect lines, and carefully selected pieces. The performer uses every prop to its fullest extent, exploring the spaces above, below, over, under and on top of the variety of surfaces. I believe the title is appropriate because the performance begins, and I had no idea what to expect.
It starts very slowly and before you know it you are sucked into the "wormhole" - it doesn't matter whether or not you know where you are going, or whether or not you are conscious of the many layers of meaning inherent in the work (time, religion, patriarchy, ritual, faith, futility). The performer kept me spellbound with the many rituals, until I too craved open spaces. I believe that art communicates something - and leaves the viewer changed in some way. I left the theatre reflecting on my life and the art I create. Worm-Hole is advertised as a dance piece - and thus words are not adequate or necessary to describe its impact, although I have tried. I urge others to go - but allow yourself to be immersed, the thinking can come later!
(Tracy Houser - Dance Traces - Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada - 5 August 2002)
WORM-HOLE & THE DORIAN GRAY PHENOMENON --- Niki McCretton's surreal solo performance of Worm-Hole is, for me, much like the Picture of Dorian Gray. Each time I see it, I see something different - not because Niki has changed anything, but because she has crafted her performance in such a way that my mind is continually re-interpreting the flowing images etched in my brain. Whether or not Niki intended for this to happen when she conceived this treasure is, quite frankly, irrelevant because it certainly works for me. In fact, I can replay it in my mind and still come up with different thoughts about it. The basic premise is, of course, that of a novice devotee willingly and enthusiastically bound to the singlemindedness of her faith. Before very long, frustration and doubt set in, self-awareness begins to dawn and inner rebellion is fomented.
Even though I knew nothing about Worm-Hole before I first saw it, I had that one figured out before the halfway mark. Then I found my mind starting to go in different directions and immediately after it was over, I realized I had just witnessed a complex allegory. It wasn't just about subservience to religious ideology, it was about the subservience of women in a male-dominated society ... or perhaps that could have been any one of us up there, prisoners of a society dependent upon science and technology, or mindless slaves trudging to the beat of a drumstick wielded by our political and economic masters. "Yikes! I gotta go back!" I thought. So I did, with every intention of enjoying a skilled performance and having all my interpretations validated. But Niki wasn't through having her way with me. About 15 minutes into the second performance, all my carefully-constructed analyses of the previous 48 hours crumbled into dust as I was somewhat shocked to realize (or at least be forced by the artist to consider) that I was watching a symbolic representation of my own life on stage. At first, it was vicarious, but very soon, it was more than that. She became me (or was it vice versa?) ... I felt what she felt ... her thoughts became my thoughts ... and her tears became my tears.
But does my second experience with Worm-Hole invalidate the first? I don't think so. Because as it turns out, the third validates both. It can be your life represented on stage, just as your life can be choked by one or more of the smothering ideologies that rule our everyday world. But now, I find myself focusing on the different actions in Niki's performance, such as the compulsive cleaning of body and environment (an obsession with removing the stain of a previous existence? ... and did anyone else get the stigmata reference?). The shedding of the trappings of our artificial world ... the baring of the soul ... the rediscovery of one's inner self ... the return to sweet innocence ... yes, it all becomes apparent the more you see it ... and then you look at it again, and discover something new and different.
(Robin Chase - The Phantom Fringer - Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada - 6 August 2002)
WHOLLY HOLY & WHOLE --- This show lives up to its hype! I had a choice on Saturday night to see Shut Your Joke Hole or Worm-Hole - as I told my friends, a choice between two holes. :-) I'm so glad I made the decision I did. I went into Worm-Hole skeptical about whether a nearly wordless movement piece could hold my attention for an hour. I needn't have worried; I was rapt. This image-based, Lewis-Carrollesque tale of a nun trapped in both a room and a routine was profound on so many levels; no matter what one's personal interpretation (faith vs. chance, inertia vs. growth, order vs. chaos, trust vs. self-reliance), the visual, aural and conceptual effects were stunning and thought-provoking. Niki has an impressive movement vocabulary, the ability to be everything from heartbreaking to hilarious with just a twist of her face, a refreshing belief in her audience's intelligence, and a razor-sharp attention to both vast scope and minute detail. I will be reflecting upon moments from Worm-Hole long after the Fringe, and long after Niki has gone on to create many more pieces of beautiful, inspiring, completely original theatre ... which I KNOW she will. :-) Niki, come back to Minneapolis SOON!!!
(Amy S. - 5/5 Stars - 12 August 2002)
A STUNNING PERFORMANCE ON MANY LEVELS --- This show is amazing. It works on an intellectual, emotional and physical level - thanks to the agile, expressive, and graceful mind and body of playwright/solo performer Niki McCretton. A combination of dance, metaphor, drama, physical comedy and symbolism that reveals additional nuances at every showing. I’ve seen it twice, and may go back again. The show is almost totally devoid of physical voice, but Niki’s novitiate speaks to us eloquently through gesture, movement and expression. It’s not mime; it’s a thunderously silent, intimate exploration of joyful, expectant, ritual devotion turning slowly into doubt, puzzlement, and finally a growing, wondrous awareness of self. The music is magnificently well-integrated with the show - it is almost a second character. And the pre-show music and draped set do a wonderful job of setting the tone. So ... to the entire Worm-Hole company: Thank you! To the rest of you: Go see it!
(Bruce Abbott - 5/5 Stars - 8 August 2002)
GREAT TRUTH SANS WORDS --- This is the most powerful piece of dance I have seen in terms of its stunning poetic allegory. It tells (to me) the story of man's attempt to guide life with ritual and religion - an attempt that frustrates - but the frustration culminates in rebellion and the freedom of self-discovery. My wife saw something altogether different - but she loved it, too! Niki McCretton is a powerful creator and stage presence. You have to be numb not to be transformed by Wormhole.
(David T. - 5/5 Stars - 6 August 2002)
SHINING PERFORMANCE --- Shining performance by way of the Edinburgh Fringe. Creative one-woman (mime) show. The artist weaves an intricate web as she abstractly explores human ritual and self. A performance you'll ponder for days to come.
(Scott V. - 5/5 Stars - 4 August 2002)
ENTHRALLING PERFORMANCE --- The most thoughtful and well-conceived show we saw this year ... this show is simply amazing from start to finish. Her characterization of this character is so complete and so well-executed that the hour-long journey seems to fly by. Congratulations on a brilliant performance.
(Gene L. - 5/5 Stars - 11 August 2002)
SHE WORKS HARD FOR THE MONEY --- Hmmm ... I'm not so sure about this one. Perhaps I didn't "get" it. Don't let this stop you from trying this one out, though. I'm not really one for dance anyway. I guess I was looking for this show to turn me on to dance in a new way. Well, I still don't enjoy it so much. But this has nothing to do with the performer in this show. She really works hard.
(Pete H. - 2.5/5 Stars - 4 August 2002)
CAPTIVATING PERFORMANCE BY A MULTI-TALENTED ARTIST --- Niki McCretton invites you to see beyond the basic premise of her storyline into the inner workings of a mind that first embraces devotion to discipline and duty, then questions the relevance of such imposed singlemindedness and finally rebels against the abject sterility and absurdity of such an existence. Through a skilled combination of interpretive dance, mime and pure physicality, Ms. McCretton draws you into the world she has created to the point where you become one with the character, and you literally can feel the emotions displayed on stage. Brilliantly conceived, Worm-Hole can easily represent - for each audience member - their own virtual reality. Long after it is over, you may come to realize your own life has been symbolically portrayed on Niki's stage.
(Robin Chase - 5/5 Stars - 6 August 2002)
Niki's First Sellout!
Niki celebrated her first-ever sellout performance of Worm-Hole on 10 August 2002 at the Old Arizona Performing & Media Arts Centre during the Minnesota Fringe Festival in Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA. In fact, it was an overflow crowd with additional seating brought in to accommodate the extra bodies so that no one would have to be turned away. I don't have an exact paid attendance, but the venue has a maximum seating capacity of 96, so the crowd had to number well over 100 - pretty darn good for a Fringe event. Congratulations, Niki!!!
(Posted by Archive Editor Robin Chase to Niki's since-disbanded Yahoo! Group Site on 11 August 2002)
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