Interludes

THE HANGOVER REPORT – David Byrne’s ambitious SECRET LIFE OF HUMANS is compelling in concept, somewhat less so as theater

• By drediman
• June 16, 2018
• No Comments

David Byrne’s “Secret Life of Humans”, an offering at 59E59 Theater’s Brits Off Broadway series.

Last night, I further immersed myself in the annual Brits Off Broadway series by attending a performance of David Byrne’s Secret Life of Humans, presented by New Diorama Theatre in collaboration with Greenwich Theatre. The piece, which has enjoyed runs at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival and in London, makes its American debut at 59E59 Theaters. The piece takes a serious crack at encapsulating nothing less than our shared humanity in under 90 minutes, while creating compelling theater. It’s a mighty tall order, and Mr. Byrne and the show’s creative team have commendably given it the old college try, to mixed to positive results.

Secret Life of Humans is inspired by Yuval Harari’s book Sapiens: A Brief History of Humankind, as well as the work of mathematician Jacob Bronowski (of “The Ascent of Man” fame). Although I applaud the show’s lofty ambition and streamlined staging, I felt that the whole tapestry failed to ultimately hold together as a work of theater. The piece could use a bolder theatrical framework to make more of an impact. As it stands, the production at times meanders from thought to thought with curiously inconsistent attention paid to the drama of it all.

Nonetheless, the show has been smoothly directed and smartly shaped by Mr. Byrne and Kate Stanley into a stylish, solidly-acted multimedia presentation. A few of the tableaus are striking, particularly a perspective-bending stage picture that calls to mind Robert Lepage’s work for the Metropolitan Opera’s Ring Cycle (which returns to the mighty opera company next season).

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SECRET LIFE OF HUMANS
Off-Broadway, Play
Brits Off Broadway at 59E59 Theaters
1 hour, 20 minutes (without an intermission)
Through July 1