The Floating Books

Dark fairy tales at the Ontological's Incubator series



Art of Memory
By Tanya Calamoneri
Ontological-Hysteric Theater
131 East 10th Street
Closed, series runs through September 8

At the center of the literary chaos is the delightful Lisa Ramirez, who, from a platform above the stage, narrates dark fairy tales that the three women deftly act out. Each story shares the common theme of a female character punished for breaking the rules (the most gruesome being "Bluebeard," in which the title character violently chops off the hands of his disobedient wife to end her dream of becoming a writer). Presented by Company So Go No, the piece, named for Frances Yates's study of ancient memory techniques, will be easily remembered as a highlight of this year's Ontological-Hysteric Incubator series, which offers an array of experimental works all summer long.

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