August 5, 1997

Performance artist Gregory Patrick has been on the edge of controversy for his past works. He has twice been banned from Yab-Yum coffee house for some of his past performances and even has the Catholic Church talking about his piece, Revelations 13.4. Gregory feels that "...such things are the true accomplishments an artist can hope for. It shows that your work has affected someone so much that they can't deal with it. It has pushed me to be even darker and more macabre."

Mr. Patrick's third and final piece of his trilogy, Tortured Oratorio, was recently performed at Go Lounge in Downtown Orlando. This new work explores the relationship of religion from a human point of view, (Sermon, the first piece in the trilogy, illustrates God's point of view, while Revelations 13.4 brought the audience the Devil's own unique take on the world). This third installment brings about a fitting conclusion to the trilogy. With moans, grunts, and screeches, the play takes the audience on a ride into the mind of a troubled man fighting to find his place with God. Gothic influences and philosophical dogma runs rampant as a man fights with his inner voices to find his Nirvana. Gregory's energy and passion quickly enraptures you and takes you on your own mental mind fuck. If you ever have the opportunity to see Patrick's works, they offer a change from the usual neo-pop of what we pass off as culture today.

Read a transcript of the interview - it's saucy!

Eric Von Stephan is an engineer aspiring eventually to make a living pursuing his real love, drama. He makes a mean gumbo, and he works as a director and more at Theatre Downtown. Other Articles I've Written