Friday, November 22, 1996
THEATER:
Silent show focuses on power of hope, importance of dreamsBy
Kathleen Rhames
Daily Bruin Contributor
If you combine the simple innocence of Charlie Chaplin with the
slapstick antics of Buster Keaton you get Snowflake, Gale LaJoye’s
silent character in his new production, "Castles in the Sky."
In a makeshift sailboat converted from an old bathtub, Snowflake
sails across an evening sky chasing falling stars that represent
the fallen dreams of children. This Sunday at Schoenberg Hall, he
will bring audiences a story that relays feelings of hope, dismay
and silliness through the inventive genius of one man and all
without speaking a word.
"You really have to understand the audience’s emotions and know
how to bring them out," LaJoye says. "The way to carry a silent
show is by playing purely to emotion."
With a background in circus clowning, he assumes the roles of
both the clown and the fool, embodying characteristics that he
feels are elements of the human spirit.
"He is more in the tradition of the town fool. He was an
innocent person that used to walk our streets, no different from
us," LaJoye says of his character. "When we think simple, we think
fool, but yet he was simple not in an ignorant, stupid fashion. In
the tradition of the town fool, he was innocent, honest and
good."
"Castles in the Sky" originated from a Spanish phrase that
translates as having hope. Throughout the play, Snowflake scurries
back and forth from heaven to earth, trying to bring hope back to
children who have given in to despair. When a star falls from the
sky, he sails down to catch it and places it back up in the
heavens, restoring the dreams of the child it belonged to.
The simplicity and purity of the story are what many say make
LaJoye’s production so enchanting and, while it plays well to
children, LaJoye points out that the message he addresses speaks to
audiences of all ages.
"It’s as engaging for adults as it is for children," says
LaJoye. "I never look at a specific age group and say ‘I’m going to
make this a child’s performance.’ What I like is a mix between the
adult and the child. If it plays to just children or adults, it’s
very one dimensional but if you mix the two there’s something in it
for everybody. Between the two, the show becomes a complete feeling
in the audience."
LaJoye’s unabashed faith in the power of hope and pursuing
dreams stem from an early fascination in classic comedians like
Chaplin and Keaton. Their ability to reach an audience and make a
timeless connection is something he has modeled his own work
after.
But it goes farther than that.
In an age where violence sells movie tickets and makes headline
news, LaJoye hopes his performance will encourage children to
follow their aspirations and continue to seek the best out of
life.
"It’s not about blood, guts and glory," says LaJoye. "It’s about
making that human connection. If there are more artforms and
performances that help remind us in new and inventive ways that men
are inherently good and people can come together when they need to,
we can make a difference. My shows bring a little enlightenment to
a situation. We need to follow our dreams and service them
continually. A child always needs to be encouraged to do this."
The beauty of "Castles in the Sky," like all of LaJoye’s shows,
is that they are performed through mime and physical comedy. He
relates the story to the audience through silent and wordless
acting. For him, this has created literally a world of performing
opportunity, allowing him to take his show on an international
tour. From the United States to Japan, LaJoye connects audiences
worldwide and is able to do so because he doesn’t need language to
translate emotion.
Further, he has found working solo to be extremely gratifying.
While not originally intending to perform on his own, LaJoye has
found simplicity and a straightforward responsibility in relying on
himself to succeed.
"When you work alone, you make your own decisions," he says.
"You fail or you succeed by your own doing and there’s no one to
blame but yourself."
The difficulties of trying to put on a silent show force LaJoye
to work by trial and error. Sometimes what he thinks is clear on
stage has the audience scratching their heads in a puzzled
blur.
"You’ll be engrossed in something that you think is so logical
and the audience just goes ‘What?’" LaJoye says. "It’s like a
mystery, you don’t want them guessing who done it. You want to take
away every question in their mind and just let them enjoy the show.
If they think ‘what was that about, why did that happen?’ then we
haven’t been successful and we need to go back and look at that
area."
Despite these minor setbacks, there is no doubt that LaJoye
loves what he does. The imagination required to send Snowflake on
different noble adventures takes the mind of a gentle genius.
"Not every show is perfect and not every day is wonderful, but
there are moments when the feelings and emotions and the
environment come together," LaJoye says optimistically. "That’s the
moment you live for and it’s just perfect and there’s nothing more
you can achieve. It’s like winning a gold medal. Some days you may
only get a bronze, but you always strive for that next time when it
all comes together."
THEATER: Gale LaJoye performs "Castles in the Sky" at UCLA’s
Schoenberg Hall on Sunday at 2 and 5 p.m. Tickets are $22; $11 for
children 16 and under, and $9 for students. For more information
call (310) 825-2101.
UCLA Center for the Performing Arts
Gale LaJoye brings his beloved character "Snowflake" to
Schoenberg Hall.