7 Great Inventions of the Modern Industrial Age at the Street Theatre

Designer Christiane Nowak has turned Street Two into a nostalgic old-world op shop of 20th century invention memorabilia for 7 Great Inventions of the Modern Industrial Age, a delightfully inventive collaboration between composer Sally Greenaway, the Syzygy Ensemble, and writers Paul Bissett and Catherine Prosser. The result is a thought-provoking and entertaining musical and theatrical journey through the trailblazing century of humanity-changing invention. Intrepid reporter and time-traveller, Harry Hawkins (Dene Kermond), resplendent in top hat and vest with meticulously groomed goatee and moustache, arrives in a Zeppelin in 1903 to journey through the 20th century. Throughout his travel, Hawkins remarks on the incredible advances in science, medicine, communications, aviation and cinematography that have shaped the lives of those who have lived through this age of incredible change. From the invention of flight to the era of space travel; from the introduction of commodities of convenience to the creation of the internet; from the horrendous products of war to the marvels of medicine, Hawkins expresses his astonishment at the ingenuity and invention of the human race.

Greenaway's composition beautifully underscores Hawkins' discoveries. A highlight of this collaborative production is the superb musicianship of the Syzygy Ensemble a contemporary music sextet on piano, violin, cello, clarinet, flute and percussion. The names of the musicians are not credited in the program, but their musicianship is unparalleled. Greenaway's suite of music notably constitutes an eclectic range of compositional genres to complement Hawkins' time travel. The audience is taken on a musical journey from music hall to jazz to blues to film scores to Broadway. Greenaway even accompanies Hawkins' game of charades with Greensleeves. Soaring lyricism accompanies Hawkins' revelation of the wonders of space travel. The sombre tone of the long bow across the strings of the violin and cello intone the sorrowful sobriety of the devastation of war. Greenaway's composition is as imaginative and emotively alluring as the wonder of an age of unprecedented innovation.

7 Great Inventions of the Modern Industrial Age is an experimental collaboration. Shelly Higgs' direction is unobtrusive and Kermond's lively performance is engaging and informative. The one-hour performance passes pleasantly, entertaining with the charm of a Jules Verne novel, but without the prophetic vision of Verne's imagination. The script is functional, rather than sophisticated or revelatory, notable mainly for its role in reminding an audience of the astounding surge in invention during the 20th century and its consequences. Greenaway's composition, brought to life by the talents of the Syzygy Ensemble, expresses this powerfully in a jubilant crescendo of musical synergy in the final moments of the performance. 7 Great Inventions of the Modern Industrial Age makes for a thoroughly enjoyable, reflective and entertaining hour at the theatre.