Theatre review: On a virtual recruitment call, TM asks audiences to ponder their world view
There’s no fluff or filler in the one-on-one livestream by Belgium’s Ontroerend Goed
TM. Photo by Guinness Frateur
The Cultch presents TM by Ontroerend Goed as part of its RE/PLAY online series, to February 13
VIEWERS KNOW ONLY a handful of things going into Ontroerend Goed’s TM, an interactive livestream show designed to be experienced solo: you need a strong Internet connection plus a laptop or desktop computer (rather than a mobile phone), and you must have your camera and microphone on for the duration.
We don’t want to divulge too much, but suffice to say this is a theatre piece you’re a part of, though not for an audience. You will encounter others, possibly from far-flung places; on opening night, I was in a virtual room, ever so briefly, with people from Montreal, Chicago, Victoria, somewhere in Brazil, and many other untold locations.
You’re being screened by a representative of a mysterious global organization called TM. The agents during the “recruitment call” might creep you out at first; is this a cult? As the piece progresses, you may find yourself grappling with ideas related to life, death, evil, good, hope, hell, ego, grief, greed, regret, inspiration, comfort, dreams, and kindness.
Or not.
While confronting their own world views, everyone will have a different experience during the (mostly) one-on-one show directed by Alexander Devriendt, depending on their mood, beliefs, openness, and gut reactions.
The brilliance of the project is how, in such a short timeframe and through the screens we’ve all become so sick of, it makes you feel connected—such an unfamiliar feeling these days—to a global community. (In fact, the cast members are from all corners of the map, working remotely.) You may not want to admit it, but TM reminds that humanity might not be so bad after all.
There’s no fluff or filler here, just an economy of words and concepts that cuts right to the core at a time in our lives and in history when we could all use a little reassurance.
Ingenious and surprising in its approach, this is a one-of-a-kind show that’s kind of wonderful.
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