Monday, August 20, 2007

More Reviews from the Shaw Festival 2007

This month, we'll continue our look at the current crop of offerings at the Shaw Festival this season. I've now seen all the productions this season, so we'll finish the month with reviews this week and next:

Tristan, with book, music and lyrics by Paul Sportelli and Jay Turvey (Court House Theatre until October 6th):
This is the world premiere of a new work by Shaw Festival music director Paul Sportelli and actor/lyricist Jay Turvey, adapted from the story "Tristan" by Thomas Mann. Tristan is directed by Eda Holmes. It has been highly anticipated as the final offering at the Shaw Festival this season, and it is an ambitious piece. Having said that, I found the production a disappointment, particularly in the first act, which seemed exceedingly dull for the most part. On the whole, Tristan is a very sweet piece, charming in a way, but ultimately unsatisfying. The second act manages to take flight and that picks up the pace somewhat, but not enough to save the day. The story takes place at a sanatorium in the German Alps in 1903, when the well-to-do with health problems would go to recuperate from whatever supposedly ails them. Some are hypochondriacs, while some have legitimate illnesses. None, it seems, want to leave the plush environment that includes five meals a day (including two breakfasts!) and walks along with other recreational activities. No wonder one guest, Vladimir Brodyagin, played by Peter Millard, proudly proclaims he has been there 'recovering' for four-and-a-half years, and might be able to leave in another nine months! One can only imagine what all this coddling cost them back then. Enter this situation Gabrielle Kloterjahn, played sweetly by Glynis Ranney, accompanied by her overbearing husband, successful businessman Heinrich, played with authority by Mark Uhre. Wouldn't you know it, no sooner does Mr. Kloterjahn leave than his wife catches the eye and fancy of writer Detlev Spinell, played by Jeff Madden. It is never clear why he is there; at the outset it is mentioned he is not there out of need; why then is he there? Anyway, their mutual attraction is never allowed to fully catch fire, as Gabrielle's tuberculosis advances after she vigorously plays the piano for Spinell. On paper, it is a story with potential; in this production, it somehow falls flat. There are some solid performances and the staging is clever, but if you go to only one or two shows at Shaw this season, I would take a pass on Tristan.

The Kiltartan Comedies by Lady Augusta Gregory (Court House Theatre until October 6):
This is the annual lunchtime theatre offering at Shaw this season; usually it is a brief, one-act play or a couple of even shorter playlets strung together over an hour and usually they prove to be uproariously funny. This, unfortunately, is not the case this year. The Kiltartan Comedies is made up of two short works by Lady Augusta Gregory, directed by Michelle Chevrier. Both set in rural Ireland, the characters range from interesting to banal, with the major exception being Mary Haney as Mrs Tarpey in the second play, Spreading the News. As always, Haney imbues her characters with great colour and spirit, and she almost singlehandedly lifts the play off the page. The rest of the cast labours admirably, but with little comic effect. The main impediment here is the thick Irish brogues, which are challenging to listen to much less speak. The Kiltartan Comedies have their moments, but overall, left me wanting. Go for a nice lunch instead.

Summer And Smoke by Tennessee Williams (Royal George Theatre until October 27th):
Over the years, the Stratford Festival has mastered the art of presenting Tennessee Williams' stage masterpieces; this season, the Shaw Festival has tried their hand at it, with generally positive but mixed results. Summer And Smoke dates from 1947 and a film version premiered in 1961. Here, a fine, upstanding minister's daughter, Alma Winemiller, played outstandingly by Nicole Underhay, is wooed by John Buchanan, Jr., a young doctor who lives life on the edge. Jeff Meadows presents Buchanan as a suitably complex character, as he progresses from a sexually charged, hard-drinking womanizer to a responsible member of society by the end of the play. In that same time-frame, however, Alma manages to loosen her inhibitions and becomes more agreeable to a bit of a summertime fling. Ah, but it's too late! Alma's parents are an interesting pair, beautifully played by Peter Hutt and Sharry Flett. Flett is particularly effective as a wife slowly losing her reason; Hutt is sensitive as her long suffering husband. This production by Neil Munro is perfectly suited to the small Royal George stage, and is very atmospheric with beautiful sets. The first act might be a little hard to get into, but once you do, the characters make the journey worthwhile.

The Circle by Somerset Maugham (Royal George Theatre until October 28th):
Another winner at the Shaw Festival this year, directed by Neil Munro. The Circle deals with the timeless subject of love lost, love found...and so on. British M.P. Arnold Champion-Cheney has everything going for him - successful political career, prominent position in society, and a loving wife. But is she? Elizabeth Champion-Cheney wants more out of life and seems to find it in young, virile Edward Luton, played with great style by Gray Powell. But does she risk her - and her husband's - standing in society for what she hopes will be true love? Added to this complex scenario is Arnold's father, Clive, played with classic wit by David Schurmann. He happens to pay a visit at the same time his former wife visits with the man she left Clive for! Thus completes the circle...which continues to turn through this 1921 play that does not appear at all dated. It is stylish, beautifully presented with a great set and very good ensemble work by the cast. It's the little details that make this play so satisfying - right down to Aarnold's constant re-positioning of a chair onstage throughout the play - hilarious! As the husband and wayward wife team, David Jansen and Moya O'Connell put in fine performances. This is one play you won't want to miss at Shaw this season!

Mike Saunders
August 20th, 2007.

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