FringeNYC: The Spider – Tickets, Location, Reviews
The premise behind The Spider is a bold one: Martin and Martha are conjoined twins and it’s the night before their scheduled separation surgery. Martha is dreaming of her independence, while Martin is consumed by fear of the expected change and the possible risks.
This Bulgarian production from Theatre B+ (performed in Bulgarian, with English subtitles) is a fascinating thought exercise, and the performances are great, considering the inherent challenge of the premise. It has its weaknesses, too: the dialogue is repetitive at points and there is a tendency for melodrama. But it is a highly unusual and provocative production (the entire play takes place while the two are in the bath essentially naked) that is unlike anything that we’ve seen before.
The Spider won Best Theater Experiment and Best Actress at the 2012 St. Petersburg ArtOKraina International Festival. It is presented at FringeNYC 2013 by The Drama League and Present Company, a theater company based in New York.
LOCATION
The Celebration of Whimsy a.k.a The C.O.W
21-A Clinton Street
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RUNNING TIME
1 hour, no intermission
TICKETS
$15 in advance, $18 at the door (click here for tickets)
DATES
Friday 8/16, 7pm
REVIEWS
Blog Critics
Gospodimov and Liutova become their characters so thoroughly that the unlikelihood of the premise ceases to register and they become, both metaphorically and viscerally, an embodiment of attachment.
NYTheatre
Humorous and thought-provoking, The Spider artfully captivates it audience before devastation, and should be required viewing for anyone attending FringeNYC this year.
Time Out
Despite its intriguing premise and strong, visceral performances… The Spider feels too safe. Beneath its tangled tissue beats the heart of a straightforward debate drama.
CAST & CREW
(partial list)
Written and Directed by Dimitar Dimitrov and Yordan Slaveykov
Featuring Penko Gospodinov and Anastassia Liutova