BLAST-ed

Blasted, was exactly what it suggested a blast of violence, terror, war, and a culmination of varying personal problems. The lights grew brighter and the beginning of a vicious journey started in a hotel room. A young woman entered to join an older man. Their tumultuous relationship, as one soon discovers, is dysfunctional and violent. The young woman has episodes and stutters when overwhelmed, which is quite often because she is continually pressured and propositioned to have sex with him. The man claims it is because he loves her but she is always uncertain of his actual intentions. The performance of both individuals was powerful and effective. The actors fed off of one another to deliver an exhilarating performance that spoke of pain.

A strong message of manipulation and torture was visible throughout the play. Very disturbed characters created the blueprint for more unnerving images. A soldier knocks on the door and presents his intimidating stature that affects the malicious plot. Gun in hand he takes control of the already unsettling situation and abuses his strength by imposing himself onto the older man. At times the continuity of the play was lost on me. I felt bewildered and could not quite piece together what the actual motives of certain scenes were. A part of me just accepted the fact that the play was going to continue to be disturbing, not for shock but for a reason that was far beyond my reach. Piecing each scene and comparing them with the next I was always kept guessing as to what was going to happen next.

The performance delivered by all three characters was readily able to produce such an effective presentation that resonated throughout the theatre because of the set and props. Set changes although seemingly simple built a dramatic atmosphere, which in turn set the mood and aura for a deep and disturbed play. A very dark and twisted play to many seems alarming, but in my opinion creativity and uniqueness builds success. A different play in comparison to many this in your face drama created a place where it was safe to perform and express often stigmatized occurrences of dooming situations.  An alarming and scripted performance indulges the audience to reflect upon their lives. Upon leaving the play I can remember feeling grateful for not having to be in such ominous circumstances. The performance was captivating and I appreciated the realism of it all.

Evelyn Amezcua

UCR