La natura delle cose

Reviewed by Paula Citron

La natura delle cose
Compagnia Vigilio Sieni
Performed by Ramona Caia, with Nicola Simone Cisternino, Csaba Molnar, Jacopo Jenna And Daniele Ninarello
Berkeley Street Theatre Downstairs
Mar. 15 to 19, 2011

It’s a grand idea from Canadian Stage. Spotlight.Italy – a two-week mini festival of Italian dance and theatre.

The dance company this first week is headed by the acclaimed Florence-based Virgilio Sieni. As well as being a choreographer, Sieni also does his own sets and lighting.

The piece La natura delle cose takes on a subject of epic scale – De Rarum Natura by the Roman poet and philosopher Lucretius.

Sieni’s compelling take is the opposite of Lucretius’ reasoned argument. Where the ancient Roman tried to explain the nature of the universe and dispel religious superstition, Sieni counterpoints with man’s primal horrors. The single woman and the four men show three stages of life, each terrifying in its own way.

This brilliant dance piece is not for the faint of heart. While visually gorgeous, it strikes at our dark unconscious. It is, in truth, a disturbing and unsettling nightmare.

La natura delle cose continues at Berkeley Street Theatre Downstairs until Mar. 19.