One Million Words is a solo show by actor Ivo Müller, focusing on the works and words of Austrian poet Rainer Maria Rilke. In 2003, Müller discovered untouched copies of Rilke’s Letters to a Young Poet whilst teaching in a school in São Paulo. He then introduced them to his class to study.
Part of the São Paulo showcase, the show is staged exactly 100 years after Rilke’s death in 1926. Exploring Rilke’s intense period of writer’s block where he was only able to write letters, the show asks the audience to “take a deep breath and let the words flow into your soul. And if you zone out, that’s great. Allow yourself to travel and come back.”
Unfortunately, I feel as though I found myself zoning out fairly often as I found the narrative to be slightly lengthy, and at some points unengaging. I think the show lacked a clear narrative direction and it was at times difficult to focus in and be totally aware of what was happening. However, Müller did make some interesting points about the existence of God, human connection, and isolation.
I think the show would benefit from a clearer structure where the narrative is segregated into separate segments, with clear themes that the audience can refer back to in their minds.
The set consisted of a writer’s desk with an apple and a flower suspended at either side. Meanwhile, letters are scattered across the desk and floor in a disorderly manner as they are organised throughout the show. At one point, Müller suspends a sheet in the air and performs a puppet show whilst continuing his monologue, which was visually effective and entertaining.
The show asks audiences to consider how Rilke’s writing resonates with contemporary audiences, by reading some of the letters he wrote, the audience can consider if they relate to them. This show will definitely resonate with fans of Rilke, and those who enjoy thought-provoking shows at the Fringe.
One Million Words is running until 31 August at the Jack Dome at Pleasance Dome.
Buy tickets here.
Image by Carol Gherardi, provided by The Pleasance to The Student for press use
