FRINGE REVIEW: The Mountains Did Quake, The Hillsides Did Tremble

Animal Engine, the duo behind THE MOUNTAINS DID QUAKE, THE HILLSIDES DID TREMBLE, have quite a reputation at Cincinnati Fringe Festivals in years past.  I’ve never gotten to see their work and I had high expectations.  This brand new production, of which our audience cohort was the first to see publicly, is thought-provoking, haunting, and timely.

Carrie Brown and Karim Muasher take us on a journey through storytelling within a story.  Here’s the synopsis:

“In an authoritarian society where individuality is oppressed in favor of obedience to an all-powerful dictator, two reformed state propagandists retell the ancient epic of Gilgamesh as an act of underground rebellion and political satire. Armed only with the power of a story, they risk everything to inspire misfits and give rise to a revolution.”

These two are committed to their craft and while their previous shows (“Darling,” “Petunia and the Chicken”) sound more whimsical and fun, this one is probably more important.  Given our current political and cultural climate, they find meaning in the ancient story and subtly help us see that we have truly not always learned from our past.

It’s creative storytelling, and professionally done.  I think you’ll find it provocative as it hits all the right (unpleasant as they may be) notes.

THE MOUNTAINS DID QUAKE, THE HILLSIDES DID TREMBLE runs through next week as part of the Cincinnati Fringe Festival. Click here for more information.