A Treatise on Isobel

This evening I will be performing in what is quite possibly the finest theatrical production that I have ever been a part of. The name of this awe-inspiring work of art is "Isobel" and it was put together by the one, the only; Jenny Hazelton.

"Isobel" came into creation when Jenny had to create a fourth-year project encompassing the disciplines of art, music, theatre, and philosophy. Coming from a background of black-light theatre, Jenny decided to put on her own black light show. The process of black-light theatre is fairly simple. The performers are dressed head to toe in black fabric, and they manipulate puppets made from flourescent materials which glow under black light. Thus the puppets are seen, but the performers are invisible. It is a fascinating and challanging form of theatre, a medium in which countless things are possible. Originally, the show was going to be a minogle of different pieces set to music; a revue, if you will. But Jenny found inspiration in the music of Bjork; Iceland's eccentric pop-diva. Through ten songs, Jenny molded a story of the creation and destruction of the world.

Featured prominently is the figure of Isobel, a benevolent creator. Call her a god if you wish, but she is more than that. Isobel is born out of the cosmos, and herself gives shape and life to the Earth. From the mind of Isobel comes sun and rain, snow and ice, winter, spring, summer, and fall. Plants grow and flowers bloom. Seeds spread on the wind and populate the soil.

We switch quickly to an underwater scene where animal life is slowly emerging. Seaweed appears, accompanied by a clam. A sea horse frolics in the current. A turtle lazily munches a plant while fish of all shapes and sizes float back and forth.

But before long, things take an unexpected turn. A lone fish is hunted by threatening eyes in the dark. An octopus springs upwards, menacing the poor goldfish. A sting ray joins in the fray, and finally a great white shark appears. But all is not lost for the litle fish; he escapes thanks to his cunning and speed. Before long species are evolving faster than ever. Insects, reptiles, birds, mammals, and monkeys cavort and caper about, and presently humans appear. At first they appear harmless; dancing, celebrating, and generally fitting into the big picture. It is not long before the humans begin hunting animals for food, cutting down forests for housing, and expanding at a dangerously rapid pace. Isobel has noticed this and issues a warning to the humans; "If you forget my name, you will go astray." The humans, assured by their arrogance, ignore Isobel's warning and in a symbolic gesture, destroy her beautiful Tree of Hearts.

The humans continue to expand thir domain, venturing into industry. A frightning world of gears and wheels, they are soon a well oiled consumption machine, destroying all that lay in thir path. Isobel, in a desperate gesture to save all that she has created, destroys the humans' machines and cripples thier industry. But the humans have grown more powerful than she imagined. They rally and cut Isobel down, ripping her apart while simultaneously "processing" entire continents into toxic waste. The humans revel in their new god-like status, but this celebration is short lived. They have run out of natural resources, and Isobel is nowhere to be found. The machines of consumpion fail and break down.

When things seem their bleakest for the humans, a ray of hope shines; Isobel returns. Surely she will not allow her most precious creation to be destroyed! But some crimes are unforgivable. Isobel allows the humans a glimpse of what they took for granted; stars, plants and animals. The humans' greedy clutching after the lost creations only reinforces Isobel's disgust and she casts them away. Isobel is left alone to mourn the loss of her Earth, but possibly to start anew.

Chapters:

I. The Universe is Created - Headphones (Remix) - From Telegram
II. Isobel is Born and She Creates the Earth - Isobel - From Post
III. Seasons & Plant Life - Hyper-Ballad (String Quartet Version) - From Telegram
IV. Underwater Life Emerges - The Anchor Song - From Debut
V. Predator & Prey - Cover Me (Remix) - From Telegram
VI. Human Civilization - Human Behaviour - From Debut
VII. Isobel's Warning - Bachelorette - From Homogenic
VIII. Industry - Enjoy (Remix) - From Telegram
IX. Isobel is Destroyed - Pluto - From Homogenic
X. Isobel Returns - Joga - From Homogenic
XI. Curtain Call - New World - From Selmasongs

"Isobel" is simply amazing. I was lucky enough to be a performer for the as-of-now two shows which have been put on, and I hope to continue if the show is mounted again. It is incredibly gratifying to hear the audiences response to something which is so simple to accomplish, but looks so magical. For example; at the beginning of the show, the word "Isobel" is spelled out on the floor. The first thing that happens when the lights go down is that the performers come out in the black and pick up the letters. The audience applauded within the first ten seconds. The show was off to a miraculous start. We kept up the pace and recieved the only genuine standing ovation I've ever seen. It was a privilege to be a part of this show, and with any luck it can and will be mounted again.

Cast

Isobel performed by Jenny Hazelton

Puppeteers:

Spider Allen
Tova Arbus
Liz Buchannan
Jenn Galloway
Derek Girard
Erica Robinson
Andrew Root
Jason Simac
Stephanie Woolger

All puppets built by Jenny Hazelton. (110 in total)