Art of Silence, a political piece focusing on an real prisoner of war, Emilio Barreto, as evaluated at the beginning and end of his 4,621 days as political prisioner in Paraguay (suggested by a program insert and despite the accents used). We see captivity from the perspective of a younger and older Emilio although the author seems to speaks for all prisoners of all wars. The author and her cast, Mike Duffy as the older Emilio and Matt Addicott as the younger Emilio, echo from the tradition of Julian Beck and the Living Theatre - although not as grusome an event to sit through. Like cancer victims, they go through several stages; disbelief (God, why hast thou forsaken me?), indignancy (human rights), acceptance ("you no longer feel the pain"), inventing stories to pass the time away.
Pointing to his head, Emilion observes, "Prison is here!"
Not only does Ms. Hartley give us insight on the activities, reactions, and thought processes of the captive but she addresses an idea not often considered, the aftermath of being in captivity for prisoners of war or hostages or kidnapped victims ( "I never felt like a prisoner until they let me go" and "even after they let you go you will never be free").
The actors seem comfortable with each other but with a piece this serious, tighter direction would have made it seem more focused and polished. A nod also to Juan Heilborn accredited for the graphics.
Powerful stuff, this.