The Trestle Theatre Company's latest creation was presented as part of the Transformation season, which has shown evidence of the National Theatre's new commitment to promote physical and visual forms of theatre alongside the best of new writing
The Adventures of the Stoneheads is truly a piece of art, using minimal set designs and talented performers to paint a series of beautiful images. Serious issues are dealt with but there is just the right touch of comedy thrown in to keep the audience satisfied.
Stoneheads is a reversion to the style of work for which Trestle became famous: it is performed in mask and not one word is spoken – the emotional journey at the heart of the story is conveyed to the audience through expressive body language and creative visual imagery. The masks have only one look to them but with a simple movement such as a slight tilt of the head the character suddenly looks happy, sad or mad.
The story at the heart of the Stoneheads – the journey of main character Milan (Alan Riley) – is told through a range of artistic expression: mask, movement and an eclectic collection of music ranging from obscure Transylvanian Jewish pieces to the hip hop sounds of current diva Mary J. Blige. The set is simple, yet the way it is activated and the excellent lighting system draw you into Milan's journey: as the stage spun and the music slowed during the scene where Milan goes to a pub and drinks himself into oblivion I think I may have got a little tipsy myself!