Reviewed by Amalisha HuEck
Park Lytle, the Lead Producer of Shackleton Theatrics, an independent theatre company based in the LA area presented Lands by Jaz Woodcock-Stewart (Jasmine Woodcock-Steward–Olivier-nominated Director and Artist), This unusual project came about to fruition taking risks and focusing on building an outcome that comes from organic process during the journey.
The basic theme for the show is attachment/dependency. We can see how the state of being dependent on something or somebody can lead an individual to become irrational, violent and dangerous. Two young people on the stage deal with their own dependency from the beginning until the end.
Michael Lanham (Michael), an LA-based multidisciplinary artist who recently received his MFA in Acting from CalArts, has wanted to produce this play since he saw the original production in London in 2018.
We watch Michael as his addiction to the trampoline and tangerines unfolds– the waste basket is filled up to the top with tangerine peels. He continually jumps on the trampoline throughout the show, with slight breaks – jumping off just for a moment here and there and can’t wait to get back on again. What stamina it took to do that for over an hour. I was exhausted just watching him. And besides jumping he has a dialogue and much to say, which he does with no apparent strain on his voice. Incredible performance and endurance!
For Alec Anderson-Carrasco (Alec), an Actor/Director based in Los Angeles, his addiction is the jigsaw puzzle. He cares only about the puzzle. When the anger erupts, after being thrown off the trampoline, and puzzle gets destroyed, silence, guilt and pain take over, with both characters silently picking up the pieces of the puzzle. Putting the puzzle pieces together and creating a picture seems to represent their lives getting back together piece by piece, until the full picture is formed. Life clearly is a jigsaw puzzle. Michael and Alec play off each other beautifully, bringing out the strategy of Shackleton Theatrics.
Shackleton Theatrics was officially founded in 2024 by its Lead Producer Park Lytle. It focuses on the development and resuscitation of works generated by young and unestablished artists in the Los Angeles Area. The primary goal is to produce new works and forgotten classics that value colorful stories anchored by fast-paced narratives and culminate in a deep emotional catharsis. Through creative collaboration and methodical strategy, Shackleton Theatrics seeks to bring life to unique productions from its early conversations to its professional debut. Shackleton Theatrics adheres to the motto Periculum Explorandum (Explore the Dangers.) ‘We seek to never run away from ideas that may appear risky or unprecedented but rather push to seek answers and solutions to ensure each new adventure will be successful.’
The play’s LA based director and performer Hunter Mahmoud Abal originally from Kuwait, brings out the strength from both actors through collaboration and friendship. Exactly what this production needs. The three of them create a life of dependency, pointing out by the end – how important detachment and finding freedom is.
Alejandro W. Melendez (Lighting Designer) and Jon Flikkie (Sound Designer) fill the transitions nicely with the appropriate music segments and lighting designs.
Lands by Jaz Woodcock Stewart, a 90-minute comedy can be seen at Broadwater Blackbox Theater, 6320 Santa Monica Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90038. The show runs from September 11th to September 26th with performances at 8:00pm every Thursday and Friday; 11th, 12, 18th, 19th, 25th, and 26th. With general admission priced at $20 a ticket, you don’t want to miss out!
The show contains offensive language that may not be suitable for children.
Ticket Link: use the code JAZ
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/lands-tickets-1494084810889?aff=oddtdtcreator
Press Release: https://www.broadwayworld.com/los-angeles/regional/Lands-4332050#