We Review Back to Back Theatre's small metal objects

Back to Back Theatre’s small metal objects is produced by On the Boards but takes place at the Olympic Sculpture Park (through Sunday, June 1, tickets are $24). Much is made of the fact that Back to Back is a company composed of a full-time ensemble of 6 actors with intellectual disabilities, but this is merely incidental, as the piece stands on its own merit. Transcendent scenery, creative use of technology, and a clean, uncluttered script creates a piece of theatre that is multi-layered, unpretentious, and totally innovative.

A red-shirted staff member instructs us to put on the headphones hanging on our seats and the play begins. Looking past Alexander Calder’s "Eagle" and out over the Puget Sound, we hear the play before we see it. The actors’ voices and the music, composed by Hugh Covill, are piped in through the headphones.

The simplicity of the script, paired with the simple actions of people walking through the park, is arresting. Suddenly, a strolling couple has intense, personal meaning when paired with the dialog sounding in our ears. It’s also hilarious to see this show in Seattle, where park-goers try not to stare at the group of people sitting and apparently watching nothing and where we sit and squirm at being "not-watched." Once again, Seattleites bravely congregate so we can all feel uncomfortable together!

Director Bruce Gladwin deftly stages a crew of talented actors across the sprawling park. Tina Bursill and Sonia Teuben’s performances stand out as we see both the nicest and the darkest parts of humanity—and hear them cooing in our ears.

Although the show ends somewhat abruptly, small metal objects has given us plenty to work with: aural stimulation and mental stimulation, pushing boundaries and offering pure aesthetic beauty.