Image: Wonge Bergmann for the Ruhrtriennale
Heiner Goebbels’ latest work of musical theatre ticks all the boxes for an international arts festival: it’s sleek, grand in scale, genre-defying and boasts an exceptional team with international acclaim. When the Mountain Changed its Clothing is the type of show you are glad to have experienced, but to be in its presence is underwhelming.
In collaboration with 40 teenage Slovenian girls of the Vocal Theatre Carmina Slovenica, the renowned German theatre-maker set out to create a piece unlike anything else, and has succeeded in doing so. The girls stagger across the stage in a zombie-like shuffle, repeating the words ‘Just listen to me, everything is going to be all right.’ It’s eerie, unsettling, and initially seems to have little meaning – but that’s okay, because the audience is not supposed to understand what’s happening.
The Mountain Changed its Clothing doesn’t offer a linear narrative, but instead explores loss of innocence in young girls and the inevitability of change. Due to its stilted nature you’re more likely to feel lost than get absorbed in the show. While not a particularly challenging subject matter, imagination is required to piece together the eclectic mix of song (ranging from choral to indie-pop), spoken word, striking visuals and excerpts of text from various authors.
The show’s exceptional qualities can be attributed to the stunning combined vocals of Carmina Slovenica, and their youthful energy breathes life into the show in its more upbeat moments. The choir scurries around the stage in what appears to be chaos, but reveal excellent choreographically precision in physical formations with themselves or props. Costume and set changes suggest a shift in seasons, as do other blatant metaphors of change, such as the girls handing in and dissecting their soft toys.
The production is technically brilliant in many ways, but in others it falls flat and suffers from trying too hard to be innovative. The lackluster delivery of the texts feels forced, but their impressive skills as a choral unit and world-class melodies are something that won’t be quickly forgotten.
The Mountain Changed its Clothing is not a show that offers surface-level entertainment, nor does it offer deep mental stimulation. It’d be easy to get caught up in the show’s first 30 minutes, attempting to connect in some way – but it’s best to sit back and let it happen to you.
Rating; 3 out of 5 stars
When the Mountain Changed its Clothing
Director: Heiner Goebbels
The Arts Centre, Melbourne
23 – 26 Oct
