Each... And Every Inch

Each And Every Inch is like a litmus test for Vancouver: are we City enough to handle it? This is the kind of show that will draw its critical rave reviews, evoke questions and emotions galore, and push viewers from bafflement to A-Ha. I just hope that EAEI can find the appreciative audience it deserves.

Touted as Installation Theatre, EAEI consists of about 10 separate environments to be experienced and explored. This is truly the Cultch as you've never seen it before. You will tour through rooms, hallways and staircases, passing through soundscapes, installations, a 3-D video art screening and a gorgeous cello duet: all slowly deciphering the story of Elizabeth Smart, a woman whose life was wrapped up in its passions and torrents.

Elizabeth Smart was a successful Canadian writer who had a longterm love affair with another writer who (inconveniently enough!) had his own wife and kids. Not that that stopped her from birthing 4 kids of her own with him (Hey, why not? Times are a-changing, ain't they?)

The multi-staged exhibit uses her writings and story to examine her life's themes of love, passion, motherhood, sex, and suffering. The exhibit is a veritable journey through differing media, each one offering another piece of Smart's puzzle. All of the show's stages make excellent use of the available space, as each of the winding spaces have been specifically tailored for this show.

The exhibit starts with an ambient sound recording which uses Smart's words to build up to a disturbing emotional climax. And the show ends with its highlight: a choreographed cello duet, which is just gorgeous. The stage is dramatically lit, and viewed through a white screen. The two pieces played were a poignant and beautiful commentary on Smart's intensely experienced life and times, and a nice way to complete the journey. When I saw it I took my time and spent almost 2 hours taking things in, though 70 minutes would be enough to see the whole thing.

My only concerns with show are that since Smart and her lover were both writers, the show takes on quite a lot of text to convey its messages. Thankfully, this is offset by the show's more experiential sections. Also in accordance with Smart's intellect, this show is also leaning towards the cerebral at times. Some might call it pretentious even, but frankly I can't always tell the two apart. Let's just let the general public make that decision.

Oh. And it's expensive. $30 is full price, with student discounts available. But the amount of work and cost going into this sort of production is evident throughout, so if you got the cash in hand, and you think your brain is open enough for this sorta thing. you could probably spring.

Each... and Every Inch
The East Vancouver Cultural Centre
April 18 - 29
Performances start at 10-minute intervals* from 6:30 pm-8:30 pm
1895 Venables Street