All throughout October, The Synetic Theatre in Crystal City will perform “The Island of Dr. Moreau,” a dazzling play about compassion, ethics and the dangers of tinkering with biological science. Based on the H.G. Wells book, this play leaves a haunting warning to audiences that has already resonated throughout generations.
As the H.G. Wells story goes, “man of science” Mr. Parker is shipwrecked on an island and is the only person on his crew to survive. He is found and nursed back to health by the brilliantly wicked, brutal and inquisitive Dr. Moreau and his assistant, Montgomery. Moreau, also a “man of science,” explains to Parker that he runs a biological compound on the island, engineering a new type of animal- or, a new type of human. Through his cruel, painful experiments, Moreau has created an advanced human-like animal form for the greater good of science, which leaves Parker mesmerized, horrified and enthralled — much like the audiences of the Synetic Theater’s stage adaptation of this novel.
Director Paata Tsikurishvili, who also hauntingly plays Moreau, accurately captures the essence and significance of Parker and Moreau’s story. With a colorful set of characters that are impossible to love or hate outright, Wells’ story and the Synetic Theater’s production explores the danger of scientific advancement (a common theme in many of Wells’s novels), the ethics of tinkering with nature and the constant struggle for human empathy. The array of actors bring the characters to life, in all their glory and faults.
The brilliant choreography leaves the audience mystified by Moreau’s beats. Incredible, colorful and imaginative costumes paint these beasts in an oddly endearing light. The show has enough passion to fuel any giant D.C. political protest, in the space of one Synetic Theater stage.
If the actors and colorful set design doesn’t draw in guests, nothing will. “The Island of Dr. Moreau” is amazing, engaging and completely worth taking an afternoon to enjoy.
“The Island of Dr. Moreau” will run from Oct. 1-Nov. 2 at the Synetic Theater in Crystal City, at 1800 S. Bell St. Tickets are $15 with a student ID.
