This word however, suffers from its own intrinsic meaning. After all, any and all animated things rightly fall under its category.

But not all animated things are created equal.

In Disneyland’s town, the best animation isn’t found inside the big studios nor in movie theatres. The best animation is now being produced by underdog university film or media labs and other Rogue Artists such.

Case in point, the tightly produced piece, Hyperbole’s Epiphany.

This theatre/performance piece was brought to fruition by the cooperative work of two unique LA groups: Son of Semele ensemble (directors, actors and performers) and the Rogue Artists ensemble (mostly geek-techno-wizard laden). Together, these two much buzzed about groups have created something startling: magic, the old fashioned way.

Using masks, puppets, rear projections, audio and lighting plots as well as modern body contact techniques, Hyperbole’s Epiphany mesmerizes the eye and captivates the mind.

Suddenly, the phrase ‘surreal private worlds’ doesn’t sound like a description for a Dali painting but instead, as the best depiction for what’s unfolding before your eyes. In dizzying sequences, black-robbed actors don exotic masks and props as custom made digital video is projected in screens both in front and behind them.

Themes first started with digital animation on the screen later evolve into 3D routines involving human ‘puppets’. Without the need for a single word, complete narratives unfold. Private universes –say those inhabited by a child- are revisited with all the reverie and exoticism of the child’s imagination.

The creative mixture of video projections and live masked actors generates a surreal atmosphere that’s very conducive to the particular state of mind needed to enjoy this type of performance.

Hyperbole, according to the Rogue Artists Ensemble, is their particular brand of no-boundaries theatre. Using cartoon-like masks (hence the hyperbole name), video imagery, puppetry and other less popular art forms, they’ve presented several renditions of their Hyperbole theatre since 2001. Among them, Changes and The Poe Play.

This group was founded originally in 2001 by ten artists from UC Irvine’s Theatre Arts Program and, unlike ‘actor-based’ companies, RAE is comprised of theatre designers and technical wizards whose cooperative work with other acting groups is what has resulted in their many Hyperbole shows.

Son of Semele Ensemble is comprised mostly of actors and body performers. Their contribution to this particular Hyperbole production is pivotal. Graceful dancer bodies are needed to ‘liven up’ puppetry and masks and that’s precisely what this ensemble had to offer to the equation. A cast of ten to eleven actors fulfill most mask and puppet roles demanded by the vignettes presented.

Some background information

The production behind this show is immense (and a few months long). First and foremost, artistic director Sean T. Cawelti as well as additional vignette directors, Kristine Aubert, Barbara Kallir, Miles Taber and Adam Simon, followed by Set, Lighting, Sound, Animation, Costume and Stage Designers. Add to this, the collaboration of over forty local musicians.

Some of the vignettes presented during this almost two hour show –with a 10 minute intermission- are: Epiphany, The Senseless, Road Rage, The Trap, Play Date, Disruptions, Show Me, Boy Meets Girl, The Wild Abyss, Picturesque, Pablo’s Perspective and many others.

Each vignette was created and produced by a slightly different set of designers and actors with over 50 artists involved in the overall production and execution.

Started back in 2001 at someone’s apartment, Hyperbole styled mask theatre has garnered, deservedly so, much praise from local and national press. Few shows poke the mind in so many directions. Few events combine the rare –and sometimes opposite- mediums that these ensembles mix in their routines. I for one, believe their show deserves to sell out and think it will (I attended the opening night and some people weren't able to go in). Considering all the characteristics of their performance and technical know-how behind it, these two ensembles might be into something rather new.

If you’ve got visitors from out of town –girlfriend or boyfriend too- and the classic amusement destinations this time won’t do, well amigo, let me share a revelation: take them to the tiny SOSE theatre (3301 Beverly Blvd. LA, CA 90004) and when you come out of this performance, they’ll tell you: ‘Dude, I just couldn’t fathom it but, I guess LA is becoming cultured… gosh… these ensembles are sooooo... how should I say it... uh... yes, so intelectually cool…’

Links:

www.rogueartists.org &

www.sonofsemele.org