On a chilly winter’s evening, a gathering took place at the Kennedy Center’s Reach Plaza this week. Bathed in darkness (but luckily not bathed in rain), the audience gathered with rapt attention focused on the two giant figures set off to the side of the Plaza grounds. But as the showtime began, these two 18-foot puppets sprang to life in movement, sound, smoke, and light to present the US premiere of Théâtre de la Dame de Coeur’s performance of Acupunk.
Two elemental spirits, Éria and Terrenis, meet one evening and travel the earth from place to place to assess the health and well-being of the subterranean earth and all the life that lives above. As they assess, they find energy blockages under the earth’s surface that need to be healed in order to allow the energy to flow freely and all life above to thrive once more. Once found, Éria and Terrenis perform acupuncture with their giant needle-esque wands to relieve these blockages before traveling on to the next place. Once healed, the earth sings with profound music that allows Éria and Terrenis to dance with its healing energy and celebrate with the Earth and all its life forms.
The true magic in this performance is in its two characters, Éria and Terrenis. Measuring at 18 feet each, these giant puppets put on quite the spectacle as they transverse the grounds of the Reach Plaza. Each character represents different elements: Éria represents air and water while Terrenis represents earth and fire. As they continue along in their journey to “other places,” both Éria and Terrenis invoke a sense of awe and wonder as they light up the air around them and move effortlessly across the Plaza. It is very easy to get lost in the spectacle of their mere being and forget that there are a multitude of people (yes, real actual people) that are surrounding and controlling the movements of these two behemoths. Truly an excellent example of what teamwork can accomplish!
In case it is not clear, this performance does take place outside on the grounds of the Reach Plaza, and Éria and Terrenis do make use of the grounds! While it seemed fine that audience members were able to surround these characters on the ground and follow them in their travels (giving ample space for them to safely move unencumbered, of course!), you can also stand back on the sidelines of the Plaza and watch the performance quite comfortably. Each type of proximity to the performance will give audience members a different perspective on the magic, so all you have to do is ask yourself: do I want to be amongst the traveling spirits and look up, or enjoy their journey from afar in a single spot? Either way, I do highly recommend planning ahead and dressing for warmth and the elements while enjoying this outdoor performance.
Suited for all ages, this visual spectacle will delight the senses of all that behold their glory. Performing as a part of the Kennedy Center’s larger festival event, Reach to Forest, Éria and Terrenis will only be in the Washington DC area for a short time! Be sure to stop by and witness their US premiere of Acupunk at the Kennedy Center’s Reach Plaza between February 22nd and 24th before they “leave to travel to other places.”
Running Time: Approximately 25 minutes
Acupunk is a free event open to the public, and plays through February 24th, 2024 in the Reach Plaza of The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, 2700 F Street NW, Washington, DC. Tickets are not required for this free event. For information call the box office at (202) 467-4600 or view the website for additional information here
Please note performances of Acupunk are outside.
