Herculaneum
Devised by the Ensemble
Directed by Brent Eickhoff


​

​
Blue Goose Theatre Ensemble
Jackalope Theatre - The Frontier
July 15th, 2016 - July 31st, 2016

Scenic Design: Evan Frank
Lighting Design: Kyle Jarvis
Sound Design: Brandon Reed
Photos taken courtesy of Bambie Guthrie

About The Play

Inspired by true events, Herculaneum explores the need for human connection in a world of material goods and the futility of such possessions in the face of natural disaster. Drawing on historical letters, anthropological artifacts, and mythology, the members of Blue Goose Theatre Ensemble created a collage of movement, text, and music that chronicles the moments surround the eruption of Mt. Vesuvius. In it's aftermath, we are forced to confront our own mortality and the legacies we leave others after our death.


​
The Eruption

In the final moment of the production, the fatal eruption finally happens. Greeting the city with a climatic explosion, followed by a gust of wind, and the earth beneath their feet crumbling, all before being concealed into their pit.


​
​The Mob

After a large tremor shakes the city, society erupts into anarchy. With the ensemble rushing into a choreographed chaos movement. We hear the sounds of the mob, mixed with trippy Beatles-esque music while being supported by tribal drums enhancing the atmosphere while also driving the action. Once the dust has settled we are left to mourn the loss of a pivotal character.


​The Lullaby

Original Music by Evan Cullinan and Elisa Dei
​In rehearsal we discussed wanting to have an occurring theme. One ensemble member mentioned having a lullaby she had as a child. Later Evan Cullinan transposed her lullaby into sheet music and a MIDI file to use in rehearsal. I took the MIDI data and used my own instrumentation and mixed it down for the performance. This specific version greeted us and took us into the initial reveal of the ensemble.


​
​The Hymn

As the ensemble gathers their sacrifices for the gods, they transition to their temple to begin their ritual. As they begin their journey they sing a hymn that later has this recorded version sneak in to help mask and eventually take over as underscore during the offerings.


​​​​Pliny's Underscore

Pliny being the only person in the show to speak, recaps and foreshadows events to come. To help support this, the piano section of the lullaby returns. Providing an insightful and sincere tonality.