Performers' Forge Will F*ck You Up
Everyone, let’s extend a welcoming hand to Performers' Forge, Seattle's new stage-combat theatre company. Then let’s punch them in the face! And slash them with a rapier! And crack their clavicle with a computer keyboard!
There, that’s done [dusting hands], but you can still catch the group kicking and fighting during the final round of their Night of Fights holiday show this weekend at the Open Circle Theater. The tiny theater, hidden away on 2nd Ave. in Belltown, provides an intimate setting to its patrons, who for this show are made to move out of front row seats for "seriously, your own safety." Like a porno, Night of Fights gets right to the good stuff, with holiday-themed situations quickly descending into all types of simulated violence: officemates dueling with a deskful of office supplies, a Black Friday knife fight, and Christmas morning sibling rivalry.
The bawdy ass-kickings had us LOLing, as the kids say, all over the place. Who knew face slams could be so funny? And the short show does trend towards the slapstick, with lots of exaggerated shouting, grunting, heaving, and falling. The underlying action itself is a serious matter though, as the players periodically heft heavy swords, slam each other into walls, and stab each other with knives. One can appreciate the careful training and choreography behind the goofiness, and we’d say the silly show is still a worthwhile introduction to the art of stage combat.
Look for Performers’ Forge influence in the future, as they continue to expand their mission of "providing community outreach to the theater and film community with choreography, stunts, and consultation" while working to further the education, training, and safety of stage combat in Seattle.
December 11-13, Friday & Saturday at 10:30 p.m.; Sunday at 7:00 p.m. // Open Circle Theater, 2222 2nd Ave., Suite 222 // $12.00 at the door; $10.00 for TPS members, students, and seniors
