Trap Door Theatre: The Cuttlefish, or the Hyrcanian Worldview
David Lovejoy and Emily Lotspeich
Trap Door Theatre Presents THE CUTTLEFISH, OR THE HYRCANIAN WORLDVIEW Review - Can You Make Art as an Artist?
TLDR: Debating what makes art successful, artist Paweł Rockoffer turns to two opposing forces arguing to figure it out. The Cuttlefish, or the Hyrcanian Worldview takes us into a surrealist world, like the inside of the artist’s mind as all the characters represent different parts of the artist’s life and the arguments when she reaches this crossroad.
Gus Thomas and Venice Averyheart
The Clash of The Titans
She leans against the wall in despair. Knees pulled up to her chest and head leaning back against the wall in defeat. In front of her, a scantily clad figure stands on a pedestal posing in gold booty shorts, draped in gold cloth, and wearing a black and gold mask. Another religious figure steps onto the stage in a green chasuble and a bishop hat. They all move around the stage until a woman in a sweater vest and purple skirt sits at the chair in the back and draws a melodic note from a singing bowl indicating the start of the show.
Our anguished figure is acclaimed artist Paweł Rockoffer played by Nicole Wiesner. All of her work has been rejected and destroyed and now she’s at a crossroads. She turns to her muse, the golden figure standing on the pedestal, Alice d’Or played by Keith Surney, who offers some words of comfort. As Rockoffer turns to Pope Julius II (Emily Lotspeich) for advice we get the context and a rough time period for the show.
Rockoffer is torn with the current outcome of her art being rejected after having been so successful under the papal patronage before. She’s almost swayed to stay the course until who is that making their loud, stompy entrance? Clad in a red leather trenchcoat embellished like an army general and entering with an air of pomposity is King Hyrcan IV. Played by David Lovejoy the king represents the other side of the artistic argument - the wild, the unrestrained, the giving in to all your vices for free creative expression. We now have the crux of what will be the main argument of the show - an artist is either measured by their commercial success or by their success in resisting it.
Genderbending and Questioning Art
Each of the characters contributes their own allegory and symbolism as they represent something in this argument. The Cuttlefish brings everything about an artist’s life into question - how much do you sell out to make a living? Are you important enough to have both a mistress and wife? Is it hypocritical to embrace the wild, sensual nature of the uninhibited but judge others for the same?
Her face painted gray and ashy, Weisner deftly handles the script navigating the theories and philosophical questioning from Rockoffer while also delivering Rockoffer’s dry and cutting remarks for a multi-faceted, moody, and funny artist.
Gus Thomas as Ella plays Rockoffer’s perky and naive fiance with a charmingly oblivious air as he discusses his hopes and dreams for their marriage and little apartment. But when he gasps for air from the grave after an unfortunate decision, his comedic timing could not be more perfect and Ella comes back with a new fiery attitude.
Emily Lotspeich and David Lovejoy are formidable opponents as they face off as the structure of religion vs the unrestrained resistance. Eventually one side seems to win out and to be honest, the other side doesn’t seem that mad about it.
Nicole Wiesner and Gus Thomas
The After Party Thoughts
The Cuttlefish is a philosophical surrealist play with a tinge of political undertones debating the nature and meaning of art and if it can be muddled or strengthened with support or critiques from influential people. The cast delivers the serious topic with an air of making fun of art itself in true absurdist fashion, so we’re not taking this or ourselves too seriously. They even hand out top hats to two lucky audience members to deliver a few lines in a scene and toss a good natured patronizing insult or two their way.
For those that aren’t a fan of abstract theatre, this may not be the show for you. But for those that love shows that bring up thought provoking questions in an abstract and over the top way, The Cuttlefish, or the Hyrcanian Worldview would be a great fit for you!
RECOMMENDED
David Lovejoy and Nicole Wiesner
When
Now through April 25, 2026
Where
Trap Door Theatre
1655 W. Cortland St.
Chicago, IL 60622
Runtime: 90min, no intermission
Tickets
$32+
Tickets can be purchased by calling (773) 384-0494 or through the Trap Door Theatre website
Photos
Michal Janicki
Find Allie and The After Party featured on Theatre in Chicago
Keith Surney
CAST
Venice Averyheart (Grumpus/Mother)
Emily Lotspeich (Pope Julius II)
David Lovejoy (King Hyrcan IV)
Keith Surney (Statue of Alice d’Or)
Gus Thomas (Ella)
Nicole Wiesner (Paweł Rockoffer)
Dan Cobbler, Juliet Kang Huneke, Mitchell Jackson, and Gracie Wallace (Understudies)
CREATIVE
Stanisław I. Witkiewicz (Playwright)
Daniel Gerould (Translator)
Nicole Wiesner (Director)
Merje Veski (Scenic Design)
Rachel Sypniewski (Costume Design)
Richard Norwood (Lighting Design)
Danny Rockett (Sound Design)
Kasia Olechno (Stage Manager)
Zsofia Otvos (Make Up Design)
Dan Cobbler (Assistant Director)
Milan Pribisic (Dramaturg)
Michal Janicki (Graphic Design)