by Clyde Berry of John Garcia's The Column

Etiquette Unraveled is a very intriguing metaphorical journey.

Lake Simons

I'll admit it. I was worried. When our list of assignments comes out, I always pass on the dance shows or performance art stuff. It's not where I'm comfy critiquing. I've dated dancers, and I always understand the project they are working on because I have them to explain it to me. But I've never been to a ballet, because as much training and work as it takes to become a dancer, it's simply not something I *get*. To go to one without a guide is not something that I think I could handle.

Sure, there's music and pageantry, but that type of storytelling doesn't speak to me. I know, it's stupid and illogical, especially for an artsy person to discriminate between artistic experiences and genres, but how many of us regularly take the chance to go see a show when we don't know the title, and don't have any friends in it? When do musical folks go check out the latest drama? When do play people go to the opera? How many dancers go just to listen to the symphony?

Part of why I'm grateful for this position is that it makes me go outside my comfort zone, exposes me to new things, and the obvious: I get to see lots of shows. Fortunately, I can say that everything I was worried about amounted to nothing, and I had a very engaging evening of entertainment.

To say that Etiquette Unraveled (playing at Hip Pocket Theatre in Fort Worth through July 18) is a dance show would be inaccurate. I prefer to think of it as a movement piece, which incorporates lots of different styles, including mime/pantomime, dance, clown, etc. The show itself is about an hour and 15 minutes, without an intermission.

It's difficult to say what it's about with accuracy, without giving away some surprises, so I'll say it is a series of vignettes that proceed, sometimes chronologically and sometimes thematically connected to each other.

You'll find yourself transported through daily work routines, the imagination of our host, and through a whole cycle of life experiences.

Lake Simons

To take the title literally, which I did, since I really couldn't research the piece, Etiquette Unraveled seems to suggest the undoing of the rules of acceptable social behavior. But it is not a piece about chaos or anarchy, it is a look at our own motivations, frustrations, and routines. It would be better to say that this piece portrays reflections of these ideas instead of dissecting them, but then I'm quibbling over semantics.

Performed by Lake Simons and co-directed by her and Chad Lynch, the piece is a very intriguing metaphorical journey. At times symbolic and other times simply entertaining, it keeps the audience engaged; no easy feat since nothing is spoken. Don't be concerned though, Simons has an extremely expressive face and has a mastery of complex/subtle movement. Every character has a truly refined style, face, and mood.

My favorite scene was the second one, or the first one after the prologue of sorts. It was a day-in-the-life of a commuting worker. The scene used the inventiveness of Buster Keaton's string section in the 1920 film The Scarecrow, combined with the "Silent Torture" section of Parallel Lives. I give these references since the plot of this piece is hard to describe without giving away surprises, but to show how thorough, well-trained, and knowledgeable Simons is with physical storytelling.

With so many discoveries made by our hosts as they move through bits/sections, to give away the ultimate destination of a scene would ruin the journey and discovery for the audience. My next favorite scene is the conclusion with is moving in its simplicity and grace with just Simons and a small clown puppet in a lovely symbolic close for the show.

The production values of Hip Pocket for this show are very basic. As an outdoor space, the few lights are needed for basic area illumination, and Nikki DeShea Smith's adeptness makes sure we can see everything well.

Hip Pocket is like driving into an artist commune. (By the way, when you're driving there, it's on the right, just after the second big curve past the school.) There are multiple buildings that look like performances spaces for other things. The driveway zig zags past little gardens and hand painted signs that cheerfully point where to park or get tickets.

The Backyard Music is near the concession stand and has various artists singing both before and after the show. Less of a stuffy theater and more of a hangout, this is a place to bring your artsy friends, or hip thinkers, to come mingle with other like minded folks. Of course, it wouldn't hurt to have your guitar along to jam after the show. The crowd ranges in age, gender, race -- pretty darn diverse. You can carry a bucket of beer into the theater and watch the play as the stars come out and crickets chirp.

It's clear that the artists and patrons at Hip Pocket love art for the sake of it and the journey it provides. If you're looking for something different in a relaxed environment that will entertain and make you think a bit -- here's your place. I'll be back for sure.

Content partner - John Garcia's The Column