The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari
a deconstruction of the 1920 Expressionistic film
devised written directed
Best 10 List Dallas-Fort Worth Productions of 2008
Pegasus News
Welcome to the world of “Immersion Theatre”. This form of theatre isn’t done very often. For those of you unfamiliar with this form of theatrics: the audience member becomes part of the play by either being part of the scenery, the cast, or both. No, you don’t have to perform or be an actor, being a passive participant will provide you with enough joy. Actors will move all around you, the set surrounds you, and at times so much is happening that you can choose what to look at and focus on.
Immersion theatre seldom works but in the hands of Riccio it reminds the theatre goer how experimental theatre can be thrilling. He allowed the audience to wander the set during the show thus making the audience unwittingly become part of the growing number of somnambulists that took over the town.
Mark-Brian Sonna, Pegasus News
The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari, presented by UTD. When UTD stages a production, it is definitely out of the ordinary, especially for being a university drama program. With the bizarre premise of adapting the 1920 German Expressionistic film, Director/Creator Thomas Riccio took it a step further to generate performance immersion where the audience was "able to move freely through the environment, standing or sitting next to characters, understanding the story and creating their own unique perspective from multiple narrative sources." Now that's some audacity.
Shawn Parikh, Pegasus News
from The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari
FRANCIS’ ROOM Greta, comes hurrying down street outside the house where Francis lives, colliding with people who pass in front of her and goes to Francis’ room. Francis is in his room standing carefully adjusting his bow tie. Greta rushes into the room, her face registering extreme grief and horror.
GRETA Mr. Francis! Mr. Francis! Mr. Alan is dead. Murdered! Oh dear god, he’s been murdered! Murdered!!
Greta speaks passionately, her left hand clasped to her breast. Francis's hands are raised at the horrible news; his face expresses a mixture of sorrow and disbelief.
FRANCIS No, no! What are your saying Greta? How can it be? Please say it is not true. Please, I beg you!!!
GRETA Oh, Mr. Francis, but it is! Mr. Alan was murdered in his room, stabbed mercilessly in his bed as he slept! Ohhhh, poor Mr. Alan!
Greta turns away to hide her face in her hands, completely overcome by grief. Francis turns to Greta, who looks up startled, and points to the rear of the room. They both begin to move back from the direction in which Francis has pointed.
GRETA What is it? FRANCIS Greta, did you see that? Something…a shadow…
GRETA Mr. Francis, Mr. Francis! God save us!
Francis and Greta exit and cross to Alan’s room. Francis and Greta rush into Alan’s room. Francis gazes horror-struck in the direction of the bed, before moving towards it; Greta looks away. Francis turns and comes slowly, his eyes and face twitching; Greta remains in the background. Francis gasping and swallowing, suddenly recalls something. It is a memory!
FRANCIS Oh no, it can’t be! The prophecy of the somnambulist!
Francis stands staring, wide-eyed, trying to grasp an idea, which his mind cannot quite understand. Greta responds to Francis’ horror.
FRANCIS I know who did this!
GRETA What?! You, you, know?
Francis exits, Alan’s room, his arms waving. Greta goes to Alan and prays at his bedside. Francis exits to the police station.