Devised physical theater company
Transatlantic Love Affair won an
Ivey in 2012 for
Ballad of the Pale Fisherman, an original work based on the legend of the
selkie, a seal who takes human form. I did not see that production (part of
Illusion Theater's "Fresh Ink" series), having only "discovered" TLA shortly before their Ivey win through their Fringe show
Ash Land. I saw it at the final "audience pick" show because it was the talk of the festival that year. Seeing TLA for the first time was one of the most moving theater experiences I've had, and I haven't missed a show since. I'm thrilled they're bringing back
Ballad of the Pale Fisherman as part of the Southern's ARTshare program. Seeing it last night, it's obvious why it won the Ivey (but then, I would give them an Ivey for every one of their shows, and in fact the Twin Cities Theater Bloggers
awarded them two "favorites" last year). No one casts a spell like Transatlantic Love Affair, as they tell a story and create an entire world with nothing but their bodies, voices, and souls.
Ballad of the Pale Fisherman is an achingly beautiful and completely engrossing 75 minutes of storytelling.
