THE DARK MIRROR: ZENDER’S WINTERREISE
Touring the theatrical 剧目巡演
Projections, sandpaper, wigs and abseiling: Project Manager Aislinn Ryan gives us the lowdown on touring a theatrical production
© National Taichung Theater
“It’s been an interesting and really valuable journey for us,” Project Manager Aislinn Ryan says as we sit down to talk about touring The Dark Mirror: Zender’s Winterreise. Directed by Netia Jones and with Ian Bostridge as the work’s protagonist, this theatrical production integrates film, projections and traditional design with Hans Zender’s 1993 ‘composed interpretation’ of Schubert’s song cycle. Since its premiere at the Barbican, London in May 2016, The Dark Mirror has toured to Taiwan, Australia, and the US, and this September it travels to Shanghai for two final performances at the Shanghai Grand Theatre.
14 The Green Room Autumn 2018
How did it all come about? “Netia and Ian had worked together previously on her production of Curlew River, which Askonas Holt had toured to the US in 2014,” Aislinn recalls. “Following the success of Curlew River, Netia and Ian wanted to create something new together and, as Ian is the work’s most iconic living interpreter, Winterreise seemed like an obvious choice. Because Askonas Holt had been involved with Curlew River, and we represent Ian, it seemed like a natural fit for us to be involved if the production were to tour.” With a 24-piece chamber orchestra, complete with several unusual
instruments (including wind machines, melodicas and sandpaper blocks), a large set and countless technical elements, it could have been quite a daunting project for the Askonas Holt team. “This multifaceted project is highly technical and had been created specifically for the Barbican stage, so we then had to figure out how to transfer it to a brand new venue in Taichung that no-one had previously visited.” As with any touring project, different venues and different cities can pose certain challenges. Add to that working with a different orchestra in each venue (Britten Sinfonia in London, National Taiwan Symphony Orchestra in Taichung, International Contemporary Ensemble in New York, West Australian Symphony Orchestra in Perth and Shanghai Opera Symphony Orchestra for this year’s performances), and travelling with a large set, and this project certainly sounds on the more challenging end of the spectrum. “Even though it looks like quite a simple production, it takes four days to build the set,” Aislinn says, “and even though Ian’s the only performer, you’ve got
