ARTS Sunday, April12, 1981 The Michigan Daily Page 5 U-M Mime: Silence is golden By JULIE EDELSON Mime is a fascinating art. Because it is a dramatic representation that relies on gestures and not words, the mimist must express his message solely through physical movements. Consequently, mime allows for creative inter- pretations, stimulating one's curiosity and imagination. The University of Michigan Mime Troupe captured the essence of this "silent art" in their debut at the Michigan Theatre Friday night. THE GROUP is directed by Perry Perrault and Tom Drotar. Perrault, who has studied mime for seven years, teaches in the French Barrault/Mar- ceau style. He and Drotar founded the troupe"in the fall of 1980 when ten students with no formal mime experience were selected to be trained in basic mime technique. The performance took on the vaudeville-type style. Live organ music played as the audience entered the theatre, creating a carnival-like mood and preparing the audience for an enjoyable evening. The audience was mesmerized from the moment the mimists entered. We realized immediately that these are skillful individuals who take their art seriously. The troupe is able to capture the mood of common, everyday situations. EVERYONE can identify with the simple ideas they illustrated through their clever expressions: a burglary, a Sunday driver, and a night at the movies. In "A Bangled Burglary," the sleeping man shows that he is snoring by opening and closing his mouth. Characters were involved in other menial tasks which they expertly conveyed: smoking cigarettes, driving a car (they swayed back and forth as the car accelerated), and even picking popcorn kernels out of their teeth! In all these instances, the mimists had the insight to detect what movements the audience would un- derstand, and they amused us with their depictions of these antics - without props and, without verbal ex- pression. The directors introduced other interesting ideas besides the "cute antics" of the performers; for in- stance, the theme of sex reversal was played with throughout the evening. Women took on typically masculine roles like a burglar and a squad leader. It was a particularly fascinating innovation subtly con- veyed through light humor. THE TROUPE transcended the comical in "The Execution." Perry Perrault gave an extremely emotional performance as a convict soon to be put to death, while the company skillfully played the roles of desensitized guards. The lighting, combined with the intense feelings elicited from the performers, made this a highly dramatic, insightful piece. "A Starving Musician" also had melancholy qualities as Thomas Drotar superbly conveyed the life of a struggling artist. Again, the audience was touched by his sincerity. By supplementing the program with both comical and serious subject matter, Perrault and Drotar allowed for contrasting emotions and showed us that their company is not merely one dimensional. OF COURSE, there were some problems inherent in the show which revealed the amateur status of the company. They insisted on relying on music in many of their pieces, an unnecessary element in the "silent world" of mime that could have been omitted. Also, the most deleterious aspect to the performan- ce was the mimists actually speaking at the finale. This is taboo in mime, since it not only goes against the fundamental rules, but destroys the illusion as well. Our curiosity is stimulated by the mystery these performers present to us through complete silence; interrupting this silence destroys our illusion. Overall, this new company proved themselves to be entertaining and creative. The response to the group Friday night was overwhelming as everyone got in- volved in their multi-faceted movements. Perrault and Drotar have formed an exquisite, talented group and I hope to see (not hear) more about them in the future. The Pat Metheny Group will be in concert tonight at 8 p.m., in Hill Auditorium. Metheny, 26, began his rise to fame as the youngest instructor in the history of the Berklee College of Music at the tender age of nineteen. He has since released three highly-acclaimed albums and toured much of the world. His current band includes guitarist Metheny, pianist Lyle Mays, bassist Steve Rodby, and percussionist Dan Gottleib. Good tickets are still available. Hopping with Echo and the Bunnymen1 By REGINA MYER As a part of their debut US tour, Echo and the Bunnymen played at Bookies Thursday night. Direct from Liverpool, this four-man band (plus musically ac- tive roadie) were outstanding. Going to the show, I expected to hear adequate renditions of the songs from their late 1980 release, Crocodiles. Instead, I was surprised with their power as a rock-n- roll band. Their music practically at- tacked the audience; it impressed me with a whole range of strong emotions. Echo and the Bunnymen are led by the singer, Ian McCulloch. He's a lanky young man with striking looks - ab- $olutely gorgeous. As is the rest of the band, he's well 'dressed and confident. McCulloch went through the 16-song set with ease. HIS CONTROL over his voice is remarkable, managing to sound frantic and contained simultaneously. It doesn't matter that his bangs fall in his face and that you can't see his eyes - you can feel him. At different points throughout the perftomance, he was smug, desperate, angry. This dynamism didn't seem contrived though; I knew he meant what he was singing. Musically, the band is something special. Will Sergeant plays lead guitar skillfully and effectively; his melodies are clear and exact. At times, he and McCulloch traded lead and rhythm par- ts, illustrating how well they com- plement each other. Not only were they well-timed, but I heard them respon- ding to each other in nuances. The drummer, Pete DeFreitas, and the bassist, Les Pattinson, were equally as precise. There is not just tension ap- parent here, but a certain tautness that keeps the members of the band all in balance with one another. THEIR MUSICAL adroitness goes hand in hand with their very strong songwriting. All of the songs were powerful and intelligent. Nothing hit me as filler, which is quite a feat con- sidering they played eleven new songs. Although it was nice to hear some material that I was familiar with from their record, the new songs were just as accessible for me. They opened with something new, en- titled "The Wall." It was long enough to have several interesting breaks - among them were a verse and chorus of Del Shannon's "Runaway." You should have seen McCulloch smirk then, paying homage to an American great. Equally as cute was the addition of the chorus of "Get Off Of My Cloud" to album cut "Villiers Terrace." This song rather adamantly expresses fear of drugs: "I've been in a daze for days/ I had a taste of the medicine, but I didn't like the taste. . . You said people rolled on carpet but I never thought/They'd do those things." This brings me to the question of in- fluences and derivation. Lots of people call Echo and the Bunnymen psychedelic. I have been avoiding the term rather purposely. Yes, they do draw from that Jim Morrison intensity, but they are no Doors-like band. Mc- Culloch is as emotive as Morrison, and even as serious as Leonard Cohen; yet Echo and the Bunnymen are a very modern and compelling pop band, con- fronting and reacting to the 1980's. It has been reported that in Great Britain, their stage show includes dry ice. Knowing this, in the middle of the show I yelled out, "Where's the smoke?" McCulloch replied, "Where's the fire?" the ann arbor Film cooperative TODAY presents TODAY Walt Disney's Mary Pop9ins 1:00, 3:30, 7:00 8 :30 MICHIGAN THEATRE ADMISSION: $2 -NIVY'ST &M5)USICAL 8OCIETY S- ANNOUNCES Summer Fare Series in Rackham Auditorium The Fontana Ensemble .................... Tues., July 7 Winner of Cliburn Piano Competition.......Tues., July 14 Ruth Laredo, Pianist a Paula Robison, Flutist ...................Wed., July 22 Ivan Moravec, Pianist .................... Tues., July 28 Northwood Symphonette & Keith Bryan, Flutist .............Wed., Aug. 5 (in Hill) I" INTERNATIONAL PRESENTATIONS 1981-1982 Choral Union Series in Hill Auditorium Zagreb Philharmonic ...................... Fri., Oct. 16 Nathan Milstein, Violinist ...............Thurs., Oct. 29 Soviet Emigre Chamber Orchestra... , .......Tues., Nov. 3 Cesare Siepi, Basso ................. ..Sun., Nov. 22 Vienna Chamber Orchestra & Philippe Entremont, Conductor & Pianist . . . Tues., Dec. 8 Andre Watts, Pianist & Charles Treger, Violinist .................Sun., Jan. 10 Dame Janet Baker, Mezzo-Soprano ...........Sun., Jan. 17 Sofia Philharmonic ...................... Thurs., Feb. 4 Detroit Symphony Orchestra, Erich Bergel, Conductor . ...... ...........Fri., Mar. 5 Maurizio Pollini, Pianist.................Wed., Mar. 24 Chamber Arts Series in Rackham Auditorium London Early Music Group ................ Fri., Oct. 23 Panocha String Quartet ....................Sat., Nov. Tashi: Clarinet & Strings .................. Sun., Nov: 15 Concerto Soloists of Philadelphia ...........Sat., Dec. 12 Orpheus Ensemble .......................Sun., Feb. - Chamber Orchestra of Versailles .......... Thurs., Feb. 18 Heinz Holliger, Oboist .....................Sun., Mar. Tokyo String Quartet ..................... Sat., Mar 20 Debut and Encore Series in Rackham Auditorium Aurora Natola-Ginastera, Cellist and Anthony di Bonaventura, Pianist ......... Sun., Oct. 18 Uto Ughi, Violinist .......................Fri., Nov. 20 Peter Serkin, Pianist ...................Thurs., Mar. 18 Tedd Joselson, Pianist ...................Thurs., Apr. 1 Choice Series in Power Center Goldovsky Opera Company .....Sat. & Sun., Oct. 10 & 11 Okinawan Dance Troupe .................Wed., Oct. 28 Martha Graham Dance Company Fri.-Sun., Oct. 30 -Nov.l Lublin Polish Folk Festival ...............Mon., Nov. 23 Paul Gaulin Mime Company .............Tues., Nov. 24 , a &Mao- - in 'W'.~s A WI ANN ARBORI BARGAIN MATINEES WED. SAT. SUN $2.00 TILL 6:00 pm [ 2 INDIVIDUAL THEATRES 5th Ave. of liberty 761.69700 t .............. CTA Dye TnhlldUTI \ / i 4 OSCARSI INCL. BEST PICTURE (R) FRI-7:00, 9:15 SAT. SUN-2:20, 4:45, 7:00, 9:15 FOR YOU NEW SEATS * NEW CONCESSION STAND NEW SCREEN * NEW ~i-/ BARRIER FREE OA """ A PROJECION SYSTEM 1 ' .k ==BRIRFE " THE RELATIONSHIP CONTINUESI (s :t.td): (R)A (Subtitled)A 2. - L- New brochure with complete information available upon request; series orders now being accepted. Contact University Musical Society, Burton Tower, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109. Phone (313) 665-3717.