Assembly Operation review

Our ticket for Speak Percussion's Assembly Operation is a Chinese one Yuan note, but this isn't just for novelty. The program tells us the inspiration for the show comes from the image that is printed on this note, and it allows us an opportunity to see the image and to better understand the show's concept. On it is an image from the West Lake in Hangzhou, which depicts three pools reflecting the moon. A body of water, a bridge and three ceramic stupas (pagodas) are also shown, and it is these items that influences Assembly Operation.

Walking in, we see three rows of tables facing the audience, each row adorned with different items. The one furthest to the back holds three small electronic keyboards whereas the middle one has a variety of traditional looking ceramics and a number of instruments, including drums. The front table is where the three percussionists, Kaylie Melville, Matthias Schack-Arnott and Eugene Ughetti, sit motionless. They are surrounded by crumpled up tissue paper, and knowing what we know about the show, it looks like a sea of water is surrounding them. A recording in Chinese plays through a PA or a megaphone and what its saying is lost on me, but I believe it to be sprouting cultural propaganda. Suddenly it stops, and the three percussionists begin.