End Of Bunny Boy
The last four nights I have been watching The Residents present their Bunny Boy show.
The Bunny Boy is, as can be expected, not a typical show. It's not exactly a rock concert. It's not exactly theatre. I'm not sure if it's between those either. It's about a man who is searching for his missing brother. This man happens to really like rabbits (he is the titular character). He has been posting videos on YouTube, hoping that somebody on the Internet can help him. The show consists of him talking about his brother, showing some of his videos, and performing songs with The Residents.
The story is a little hard to follow due to it being told by the Bunny Boy. I think it's safe to say he's crazy, and could benefit from medical supervision. When I saw it in Philadelphia, I was worried about the friends I had invited to see it with me in New York. I didn't think it was the greatest show, and certainly not a show with which to introduce someone to The Residents. As I became familiar with it (and it's been tightening up in small ways), I rate it as on par with their Demons Dance Alone show, which was super awesome.
The first act is disjointed and confusing. The second act makes it clear to the audience that the Bunny Boy has lost his marbles, and suddenly the confusion of the first half makes more sense. But it's not that you need to see it twice to get what's going on; I think it's the initial confusion you are thrust into as an audience member that makes it so jarring. That may be intentional - after all, The Residents' first touring show was designed to leave the audience alienated, confused, and angry.
I think there is a good message in this show. One about accepting your past or embracing your future (not sure exactly which, but it's certainly not endorsing being trapped between two lives). But perhaps the message isn't being stated clearly enough. The Wormwood show just flat-out stated its message, and to a degree Cube-E did as well. The Mole Show and Demons Dance Alone took some interpretation on the part of the audience. I suppose Bunny Boy also needs each audience member to think about what happens, but part of me thinks it's somehow different.
I really hope they have a second US tour next year and that I get to see it. The show is going to evolve and become the greatest thing ever, like every show they do.
The Bunny Boy is, as can be expected, not a typical show. It's not exactly a rock concert. It's not exactly theatre. I'm not sure if it's between those either. It's about a man who is searching for his missing brother. This man happens to really like rabbits (he is the titular character). He has been posting videos on YouTube, hoping that somebody on the Internet can help him. The show consists of him talking about his brother, showing some of his videos, and performing songs with The Residents.
The story is a little hard to follow due to it being told by the Bunny Boy. I think it's safe to say he's crazy, and could benefit from medical supervision. When I saw it in Philadelphia, I was worried about the friends I had invited to see it with me in New York. I didn't think it was the greatest show, and certainly not a show with which to introduce someone to The Residents. As I became familiar with it (and it's been tightening up in small ways), I rate it as on par with their Demons Dance Alone show, which was super awesome.
The first act is disjointed and confusing. The second act makes it clear to the audience that the Bunny Boy has lost his marbles, and suddenly the confusion of the first half makes more sense. But it's not that you need to see it twice to get what's going on; I think it's the initial confusion you are thrust into as an audience member that makes it so jarring. That may be intentional - after all, The Residents' first touring show was designed to leave the audience alienated, confused, and angry.
I think there is a good message in this show. One about accepting your past or embracing your future (not sure exactly which, but it's certainly not endorsing being trapped between two lives). But perhaps the message isn't being stated clearly enough. The Wormwood show just flat-out stated its message, and to a degree Cube-E did as well. The Mole Show and Demons Dance Alone took some interpretation on the part of the audience. I suppose Bunny Boy also needs each audience member to think about what happens, but part of me thinks it's somehow different.
I really hope they have a second US tour next year and that I get to see it. The show is going to evolve and become the greatest thing ever, like every show they do.