Aluminum
I just returned from the 2 pm show of Aluminum at the Performing Arts Center.
A while back, I saw an advertisement for Aluminum inthe papers and have a secret love for the metal. I enjoy it as much as using fiberglass. I like aluminum because it shiny, easy bend, holds it shape, inflexible and unforgiving nature and the creative easy to work, forgiving, complex to work with, high tech BUT difficult to fabricate nature of fiberglass. I would love to build an RV aircraft someday.
The news paper add showed a shinny round tube of Aluminum with two legs sticking out (M? or F?) Quite a visual image! …. heck, why not go I thought.
I had no idea what I was getting into when I purchased the ticket. This week a short article about the show appeared the Post and Courier. I quickly scanned the article and in one sentence the story could be summed up as:
A BIG tube of aluminum drier hose which gives birth to a tiny baby drier hose THEN the parents and baby tube get separated THEN begins the quest of reuniting the baby (which has many interesting adventures with new friends) WITH the sad, lonely, distraut parents aluminum tubes who are desperately searching everywhere for their missing young one.
After reading the article, I scratched my head and I thought “WOW, how lame is THAT?” I can watch the CBS nightly news and see the same story line. Heck wasn’t it this week a woman who was living in New York and stolen at birth was reunited with her biological parents in Alabama or am I just imagining it? It was a big deal on TV (I think?)
Now I am going to see a bunch of aluminum tubes with the same heart breaking problem. Got the ticket…got to go.
While I was walking up to the PAC with ticket in hand I happened to notice TONS of kid. Kids everywhere. Chatting with to a couple of parent I found they too had no idea of what the show was about. The kids were bringing them in tow. Hum, I guess I am not alone in blissful ignorance. Surprise me Aluminum I thought.
And surprised me it did. The creative use of small and large aluminum tubes made of mylar was just amazing. The blend of “human” and “human hybrid tubes” and “mechanical puppetry” was incredible. This show just works.
It is a HIGH energy, energetic music show with great performers and creative use of props. Visually stunning Aluminum is simply an over the top production. A fantastic unusual show which will delight you. Easily, this is one of the best shows I have EVER seen at the Performing Arts Center.
I was drawn into the story, was dazzled by the imagery and thoroughly enjoyed the non stop action and surprises. Aluminum is definitely a stage show which should be featured at the 2011 Charleston Spoleto Festival. It would be the must see, most talked about, killer show of the year.
Here is a Youtube link for the Aluminum show
If you EVER get a chance to see this production GO. Definitely, GO! Get a seat dead center about ten rows from the front. You WANT to be right up front so you can get involved in the audiance interaction, the characters and props. You’ll have a blast!
Take the kids (5 yrs old on) and your parents if they have even a minimal abount of motor and cognative skills (basicly they are still breathing). Both young and old will have a fantastic sensory experience none of you will never forget.
Copyright 2011
Nick Ugolini
By Nick, January 24, 2011 @ 2:07 pm
This technique is exactly what I do too. zipties and then lacing…. works great. buy my plane 🙂