Modest Modeste is a sad-sack pianist with a drinking problem. Since his boss is not present, Modeste can perform his favorite piece of music, Modeste Moussorgski's PICTURES AT AN EXHIBITION on the piano as originally intended. Modest Modeste is played by Ilan Ben-Yehuda who is both a trained pianist AND a trained clown which probably makes him unique. It's like combining Bill Irwin with Victor Borge. There is real art in this performance.
Each skit is built around one of the musical scenes in PICTURES AT AN EXHIBITION which is a musical tribute to an artist friend of the composer who died suddenly. Each musical piece is an evocation of a particular painting with subjects ranging from chickens (a very Monty Pythonesque chicken) to cannibalistic witches to national landmarks. Actually, an awful lot of this music will be familiar from being used in films and commercials. Audience members are asked to participate in the music making by singing and playing instruments. How often does anyone in the audience get to play the cymbals?
The show is not random--it has a plot and a theme and development of character. It also has slapstick and great music. But this is a show which needs a big, enthusiastic audience since audience participation is really the point. See it if you can and bring plenty of friends. The show works best with a lot of people in the audience who aren't too inhibited to have a good time. There is no fourth wall in this production.
This show is genuinely different--if you miss it, there won't be anything like it until Ilan comes back to town. If you like well-crafted but adventurous theatre, don't miss MODEST MODESTE.
MODEST MODESTE plays through the weekend at Cite Des Arts. Call 291-1122 or buy a ticket at the box office. Tickets are a bargain at $8.00.
---Walter Brown
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