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Disclaimer:
The reviewers' opinions are their own and do not necessarily reflect the views of TheatreLouisville.org. |
Peer Reviews Bunbury Theatre presents Reviewed by Max Abner Entire contents are copyright © 2009 Max Abner. All rights reserved.
Reviewing this show, as a critic, I feel odd, as I have practically nothing to criticize. I had read the script to Seascape about a year ago exactly, and have always thought that it was a literary masterpiece. The idea of the meaning of life discussed through retirement, evolution, and emotions, and it's all discussed by a retiree couple and a... lizard couple. Although I thought it was genius, I was never sure how it would hold up on stage, or if it would even work at all. I walked into the brilliantly intense, in-your-face Bunbury Theatre space, and was awed by a gorgeous yellow sand-dune landscape reaching the audience. This became even more beautiful against the baby-blue sky behind the dunes. After a short speech about Bunbury was made, and the lights went out (long enough to allow the actors to take their places), the lights came up on Charley (the masterful Matt Orme) looking into the distance and Nancy (the breathtaking Laurene Scalf) working on her charcoal artwork. This older couple having a beachside picnic were fully fleshed out and a wonder to watch. The sounds of the ocean started up, and Albee's poetic philosophies spilled out of the actors with skill and precision. Albee's words rang out almost like music, in time with the ocean noises. The play became an auditory joy as well as a visual one. Even the costumes matched or even contradicted the other colors of the set perfectly. Everything was planned and thought through. It all came swirling together in a most profound manner. It all "worked." This can only be the result of what happens when a group of skilled and talented artists come together with a common goal. The first act explains Charley and Nancy's relationship, their push and pull. Nancy wants to see the world, and Charley wants to wither away at home. The first act went along swimmingly, but as the end of the first act came on, and I realized that the first arrival of the lizard couple, Lesley (Ted Lesley) and Sarah (Marcia Miller), was coming on, I got scared. I had so enjoyed the production up to that point that I didn't want it to be ruined, just like that, by unsatisfactory lizard costumes. I didn't know when exactly the lizard couple would arrive. I was watching Scalf present some beautiful monologue as Nancy about her desire for adventure and love, and then I looked over at Charley to see what comic, exasperated face Orme would come up with, and I noticed a green head pop up behind a dune. It was Lesley the lizard, and it was exquisite! The rest of the play would be easy sailing, as the lizard costumes and performances were as seamless as everything else. Even the body language of the two reptiles was worked out to perfection. I couldn't help but forget that the whole thing was just acting as Lesley and Miller crawled on, investigated, and rolled over each other and the objects around them. Intermission came and went, and act two started up. This act's contents included human relations, and the two English-speaking lizards were introduced to the humans' emotions. As the characters spoke, the sun slowly set, altering the shadowing and the color scheme in a delightful way. After some cruel actions, which I will make you learn of yourself by seeing the show, on Charlie's part, and after the stakes get raised, one is left wondering if this momentous event was but for nothing. After all if resolved, or not, we are left with the most stirring image I have seen on a stage. A practically perfect play/production. I wouldn't miss it for the world. Wouldn't trade the experience for anything. A play not to be missed. A play that may only come around once in thirty years. What can I say? Bravo! Thank you Bunbury Theatre for being bold... and excellent.
Seascape Presented at the Henry Clay Theatre Wednesday-Sunday through June 18 - July 5, 2009 Tickets: Starring: Matt Orme, Laurene Scalf, Ted Lesley, and Marcia Miller.
Posted July 6, 2009
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