• Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
  • HOME
  • NEWS+OPINIONS
    • NEWS TO US
    • COLUMNS
      • APPARENT HORIZON
      • DEAR READER
      • Close
    • LONGFORM FEATURES
    • OPINIONS
    • EDITORIAL
    • Close
  • ARTS+ENTERTAINMENT
    • FILM
    • MUSIC
    • COMEDY
    • PERFORMING ARTS
    • VISUAL ARTS
    • Close
  • DINING+DRINKING
    • EATS
    • SIPS
    • Close
  • LIFESTYLE
    • CANNABIS
      • TALKING JOINTS MEMO
      • Close
    • WELLNESS
    • GTFO
    • Close
  • STUFF TO DO
  • TICKETS
  • ABOUT US
    • 5 DOUBLE-U’S
    • MASTHEAD
    • DISTRIBUTION
    • ADVERTISE
    • SUBMISSIONS
    • PRIVACY POLICY
    • Close
  • BECOME A MEMBER

Dig Bos

The Dig - Boston's Only Newspaper

CURRENT STREET EDITION

DIG 23.02 – 1/28/21

BETTY BAM!: KHARMS-INSPIRED WORK FROM IMAGINARY BEASTS CONFUSES AND DELIGHTS

Written by SPENCER SHANNON Posted April 29, 2015 Filed Under: A+E, Performing Arts

TR_BettyBam_728

In 1926, a college-age Daniil Kharms wrote Elizabeth Bam, a wildly original work of theatrical absurdity starring a cast of characters who strive to break down the dynamics of theater, art, and language into its most basic components.

 

The work inspired an entire movement titled Theater of the Absurd, which gripped Europe in the 1950s. Even as the grip of Soviet social control tightened its noose around creativity and demanded stark realism from artists, theatermakers like Kharms produced plays of absurdist, surrealist fiction that explored a universe where all meaning in language and action is lost, all communication and logical transition is abandoned, and in a meta, hilarious sense, the audience is made a part of the spectacle, tuned in to the complete chaos taking place onstage.

 

Make sense? Don’t expect it to. In imaginary beasts’ English revival, Betty Bam (played by Sarah Gazdowicz, Molly Kimmerling, Amy Meyer, Beth Pearson, and Kiki Samko) has committed an unspeakable crime, and is pursued by two bumbling detectives, Ivan Ivanovich (Cameron Cronin) and Pyotr Nikolaevich (William Schuller). That’s the first and only plot point that adheres to any sort of logic. As a robotic announcer interrupts the action to instruct the players to adhere to a different sort of theatrical trope, the scene completely changes, and the audience watches various short skits—some comedic, so melodramatic, some horrific—all entirely absurd and impossible to follow.

 

The action takes place on a dynamic set that looks directly inspired by fellow Russian artist and designer Aleksander Rodchenko—black and white lines intersect with red, jagged edges of the room giving way to moving parts through which characters may disappear and emerge. The word “RADIX” is painted across the floor, a callback to Kharms’ radical ensemble of the same name. Impressive lighting design manages to transform each scene to mirror the emotion being evoked. In one instance, we’re at a beach enjoying a picnic; in another, mice scurry in the darkness to avoid the eye of a flashlight that signals their impending demise.

 

Once I gave up trying to understand what was going on in front of me, I was able to more fully enjoy it. It can be a challenge to give yourself up so completely to an experience. Betty Bam! demands complete abandonment from its audience—of reason, of comprehension, of logic, of the definition of what theater is and what it’s supposed to be. Right when you think you’ve got a handle on what’s happening, the performance throws another curve ball. Suddenly, an old woman is vomiting eggs. A homeless person wanders in, asking the audience for spare change. A monstrous being takes shape.

 

The key to making it through Betty Bam! is reveling in the surreality of the show. There are no right or wrong answers to the question of what is happening, of what it means—in truth, there may not be an answer at all.

 

In its refusal to be comprehensible, Betty Bam! creates something new and unique. It reminds us all of the meaninglessness of human life, and forces us to open our minds a bit to embrace the infinite parameters of what defines theater. It presents nothing and expects nothing in return. There is no need for analysis here, for the deep probing and internal philosophy that many associate with attending theater. Instead, the show asks you to leave your preconceived notions at the door, and remember not to take everything quite so seriously.

 

As we left the theater, I turned to the friend I’d brought with me, and apologized for not knowing more about the show in advance, before inviting her. I was still struggling to come to grips with what I had just seen, and wondered aloud how I’d be able to coherently write about it.

 

“Honestly?” she answered. “After the week I’ve just had, this was just what I needed. I think it mirrors the reality of life completely. Things change in an instant. Everything gets topsy-turvy. There’s no such thing as control. Nothing makes sense.”

 

And sometimes, all you can do is laugh and shake your head.

 

imaginary beasts PRESENTS: BETTY BAM!. BCA PLAZA BLACK BOX THEATER, 539 TREMONT ST., BOSTON. THROUGH MAY 2. 13+/$20,$15 STUDENTS. IMAGINARYBEASTS.ORG

SPENCER SHANNON
More from author
  • SPENCER SHANNON
    https://digboston.com/author/spencer-shannon/
    BLACK DIALOGUE: INTELLIGENT MISCHIEF AND THE SUMMER OF RADICAL IMAGINATION
  • SPENCER SHANNON
    https://digboston.com/author/spencer-shannon/
    DEVIL’S ADVOCATE
  • SPENCER SHANNON
    https://digboston.com/author/spencer-shannon/
    THE SUBMISSION: ZEITGEIST STAGE'S SPRING CLOSER MEDIATES ON BIG ISSUES
  • SPENCER SHANNON
    https://digboston.com/author/spencer-shannon/
    MOTHERS AND SONS: TEARS AND TRUTHS IN SPEAKEASY STAGE COMPANY'S LATEST

Filed Under: A+E, Performing Arts Tagged With: aleksander rodchenko, Amy Meyer, bca plaza, Beth Pearson, betty bam, Cameron Cronin, daniil kharms, imaginary beasts, Kiki Samko, Molly Kimmerling, Sarah Gazdowicz, William Schuller

WHAT’S NEW

Gov. Charlie Baker announces an educator vaccine program Wednesday in a WCVB screen capture.

STATE ADDS 400,000 EDUCATORS TO LIST FOR VACCINE

JOHN BARROS WILL LAUNCH CAMPAIGN FOR MAYOR OF BOSTON

JOHN BARROS WILL LAUNCH CAMPAIGN FOR MAYOR OF BOSTON

TRUMP GUY WINS THE DEMOCRATIC PRIMARY TO FILL DELEO’S SEAT

TRUMP GUY WINS THE DEMOCRATIC PRIMARY TO FILL DELEO’S SEAT

CHECKING IN ON THE COMMONWEALTH’S COMPREHENSIVE CLIMATE BILL

CHECKING IN ON THE COMMONWEALTH’S COMPREHENSIVE CLIMATE BILL

YOUNG VOTERS, OLD GAME

YOUNG VOTERS, OLD GAME

CAMPBELL ORDERS INFORMATION ON OFFICER’S INVOLVEMENT IN CAPITOL ATTACK

CAMPBELL ORDERS INFORMATION ON OFFICER’S INVOLVEMENT IN CAPITOL ATTACK

Primary Sidebar

HEMPIRE FREEDOM PACK 25% OFF

FEATURED EVENT

Most Popular

  • SPECIAL FEATURE ON THE MASS STATE POLICE: TROOPER WILSON’S WAR by CHRIS FARAONE
  • [UPDATE: WE GOT IT!] WHERE IS THE CONTRACT FOR MASSACHUSETTS’ VACCINE APPOINTMENT SOFTWARE? by POLINA WHITEHOUSE
  • BOSTON LATIN ACADEMY GRADS FIGHT FOR REPRESENTATION IN ALUMNI GROUP by CHRIS FARAONE
  • MASS KEEPS TRYING TO BUILD A NEW WOMEN’S PRISON OUTSIDE OF PUBLIC VIEW by DAN ATKINSON
  • WHAT THE HELL IS GOING ON WITH MASSACHUSETTS POLITICS AND VACCINATIONS? by ZACK HUFFMAN

READ CURRENT MEMBER EDITION

DIG Member 1.9 – 11/26/20

READ CURRENT STREET ISSUE

DIG 23.02 – 1/28/21

Footer

digbos

digbos
Can a veteran of the Wisconsin Uprising and former Can a veteran of the Wisconsin Uprising and former Mass union leader rescue the IAFF? https://digboston.com/a-firefighter-election/ #labor #firefighter #union #election #opinion #WisconsinUprising #Massachusetts #national
New #report shows 1/6 of women in Mass prisons sen New #report shows 1/6 of women in Mass prisons sentenced to life without parole. https://digboston.com/commonwealth-committed-to-other-death-penalty/ #prison #prisoner #humanrights #criticism #Massachusetts
“The gratuitous militarization of police forces “The gratuitous militarization of police forces across the United States facilitated by this program has helped to turn these agencies into brutal weapons of repression.” https://digboston.com/inbox-group-calls-for-biden-to-abolish-police-militarization-program/ #police #reform #criticism #Massachusetts
It’s the second time in less than a year that pr It’s the second time in less than a year that progressives have been dealt a bitter defeat in a crowded primary race. https://digboston.com/trump-guy-wins-the-democratic-primary-to-fill-deleos-seat/ #politics #election #Democrats #primary #legislature #Winthrop #Revere  #Massachusetts #MAGA #herp #derp
As lawmakers consider Baker’s amendments to clim As lawmakers consider Baker’s amendments to climate bill, the fight for environmental justice continues. https://digboston.com/checking-in-on-the-commonwealths-comprehensive-climate-bill/ #politics #legislature #environment #activism #globalwarming #Massachusetts
AS LABOR SECRETARY, WILL MARTY WALSH REPRESENT ALL AS LABOR SECRETARY, WILL MARTY WALSH REPRESENT ALL WORKERS? Or just unionized construction workers… and the corporations that fund the Democrats. The latest from DigBoston's @jasonpramas. https://digboston.com/as-labor-secretary-will-marty-walsh-represent-all-workers/ #politics #labor #union #work #national #analysis #Boston #Massachusetts
Includes Gang Green, The Freeze, SIEGE, TREE, and Includes Gang Green, The Freeze, SIEGE, TREE, and many more. https://digboston.com/iconic-lineup-comes-through-to-support-nantasket-venue-through-pandemic/ #music #digital #benefit #Hull #Massachusetts
Our interview with Avi Loeb, author of “Extrater Our interview with Avi Loeb, author of “Extraterrestrial: The First Sign of Intelligent Life Beyond Earth.” https://buff.ly/2O3nlUd #interview #book #alien #technology #astronomy #controversy #debate #science #Boston #Massachusetts
LGBTQ+ prisoners in Mass stand up to a violent sys LGBTQ+ prisoners in Mass stand up to a violent system that targets and dehumanizes vulnerable populations. https://digboston.com/special-feature-the-cruel-and-usual-violence-against-lgbtq-people-in-mass-prisons/ #prison #prisoner #humanrights #LGBT #politics #Massachusetts
Nominations now open! Vote for your favorite busin Nominations now open! Vote for your favorite businesses today. 

Are you a business? Are you the best at what you do? Encourage your fans to cast their votes! DM us to get our social media materials to promote your business and ensure your win. #bostontops #digboston
Load More... Follow on Instagram
Social Buttons

DigBoston facebook DigBoston Twitter DigBoston Instagram

Masthead

About

Submissions

Advertise

Privacy Policy

Customer Service

Distribution

About Us

DigBoston is a one-stop nexus for everything worth doing or knowing in the Boston area. It's an alt-weekly, it's a website, it's an e-mail blast, it's a twitter account, it's that cool party that you were at last night ... hey, you're reading it, so it's gotta be good. For advertising inquiries: [email protected] To reach Editorial: [email protected] For internship opportunities: [email protected]