Was it the playwright William Shakespeare who wondered what a name is? Sure. Over the centuries, this theme has been used in endlessly useful variants in theaters. Although, rarely so strikingly as in Ik would rather be called Angel, a performance that circulated successfully this season and can only be seen twice.
The story is deposited as a rather insignificant occasion: the annual weekend reunion of six friends in a well-thumbed holiday retreat where no blind horse can do damage. The first couple arrives early. Feels uncomfortable. “We are too early. Where are the others and where is Angel?”
What would it. “Too early automatically becomes on time,” says Yvonne, characterized as ‘the woman who prepares the snacks.’ Which doesn’t matter at all. Like more of what happens, does not weigh heavily in terms of content. Anyone who suspects that this is a thriller is pointed out. Jibbe Willems is also not the author of the traditional situation comedy. His piece is a masterly, compelling composition about characters who have everything in common with the phenomenon man . That sounds lofty. Is not the case. During awesomely confrontational discussions, five figures pass by, while the mysterious, probably very exciting Angel, still doesn’t show up. They live out their idiosyncrasies, wondering if they belong to the category of “pigeon” or “hawk,” possibly known in their circle as “prey” or “predator.”
Man and chameleon
They greedily toast to existence, until every bottle has been gobbled empty. Perhaps on the hunt for security and recognition, but above all for a definite answer to the question of whether this is real life, or whether they are hiding behind a position from which they can no longer escape. Answers are not forthcoming. Fine, but there is tragedy in it and also a lot of humor, within frames with silent moments and distraught reflection. There must be something like a background. It’s a statement that pops up out of nowhere. Crazy example. What color is a chameleon? After all, the animal takes on the color of its background. Let go, it’s one of many abrupt twists. Recognizable by the comparison drive between man and chameleon.
Only two actors play all five characters. Lotte Dunselman and Wouter van Oord place them phenomenally in a pattern of fantastic directing effects. It is an obsessive experience, how they drag their figures into reality as part of a hermetically bricked process of play, mimicry and intonation. The insanely fast dressings are a special aspect. By the way: leaps of thought illustrate that a name is an abstraction that in itself offers no guidance.
In other words: I’d rather be called Angel is a top performance by a young production house, Mrs. Ogterop. The Meppel theater facilitates technology, rehearsals and editing. It’s a way to make sure you’re experiencing something far away from the remote control.
‘I’d rather be called Angel’
Event ‘I’d rather be called Angel’
Production house Mrs Ogterop
Artistic direction, concept Lotte Dunselman
Text Jibe Willems
Of Lotte Dunselman and Wouter van Oord
Final direction Liliane Brakema
Scenography Joncquil
Costumes Freja Roelofs
Music Julia Dubbelboer
Technology Bas Kasten
Seen 2/6 Meppel, Engelenbak Schouwburg Ogterop
Audience 110 (full)
Still to be seen Schipborg, FestiValderAa, 7 and 8 July