Well, this is a curious decision. After years of being a wandering theatrical troupe, giving performances at TCU, Fort Worth Community Art Center, and the Modern, the fine folks at Amphibian Productions have at long last settled into a performance venue they can call their own. So what do they do to welcome theatergoers to the new space? They put on The True History of the Tragic Life and Triumphant Death of Julia Pastrana, the Ugliest Woman in the World. Not that Shaun Prendergast’s play isn’t a strong piece of work worthy of christening a new home. It’s just that this performance piece takes place in total darkness.
Oh, well. The play is a powerful bit of drama when it’s done properly, telling the story of a real-life 19th-century Mexican woman whose hypertrichosis (abnormal hair growth on the body) led her to be sold to an American promoter who paraded her as a freak and then, after her death, ghoulishly had her remains embalmed and toured with them. Amphibian has done this show before, so they’ll be hard at work exploring the new venue’s sonic capabilities. –– Kristian Lin
The True History of the Tragic Life and Triumphant Death of Julia Pastrana, the Ugliest Woman in the World plays Oct 25-Nov 18 at Amphibian Productions, 120 S Main St, FW. Tickets are $15-25. Call 817-923-3012.
