William Dennis Hunt is an old friend. It is because of his pioneer vision that The Company Theatre of Los Angeles
became a cause celeb many years ago holding forth in a magical space on
Robertson Boulevard. I am grateful
to The Company for many things.
So.. with that said.. Bill
has taken a plunge! It’s the
Bard! It’s one of his plays that
most of us know little about. THE
WINTER’S TALE! (Emphasis mine.)
Return with us now to those dusty days of when kings and
queens roamed the hills and nonsense was afoot. Remembering the names of King Leontes of Sicilia (Max
Lawrence) and his old pal King Polixenes visiting from Bohemia (Allen Barstow) has
been tough as I’ve discussed this show with friends. What Shakespeare had in
mind is confusing and frustrating because his basic elements are in here
somewhere and Director Hunt in a creative way has done his best to ferret them
out. Motivation for the action of
this play in Act I is cloudy at best, though the actors are working their tails
off to get through the language, and accomplish this with some success.
The Other Space is not unlike many intimate little theaters
in town. Forty seats, simple
lighting. A black box. As we
enter, the cast is on stage sort of chatting. It was unclear if this was an actors warm up or if the
characters were just having a little get together before the show actually
began. This is a young company and
the energy for the play is palpable.
A good thing.
Leontes has been entertaining his friend from childhood,
Polixenes as a guest in Sicilia.
Polixenes doesn’t want to overstay his welcome and announces that it’s
time to head for home. Leontes persuades his pregnant wife, Hermione
(very lovely Carolyn Marie Wright) to coax Polixenes to linger a little while
longer. For reasons that are
unclear, Leontes becomes mad with jealousy and orders his retainer, Camillo (Taylor
Jackson Ross) to poison his old pal because he’s
decided that Hermione’s unborn child is Polixenes and not his! He denounces his wife and trouble's afoot!
Camillo decides that the king must be nuts and tells
Polixenes she is supposed to poison him! They run away poste haste! Following
the plot here becomes troublesome. Hermione delivers a daughter. Hermione ‘dies’ and the “bastard”
daughter, Perdita (appearing in Act II as a young maiden, Hayley Brown) is
taken away in a basket by Antigonus and left on the shore of Bohemia (shades of
Snow White). What ever got into
Leontes to make him go off his rocker is unclear. Even with my program in hand, telling who was who after this
with doubling and tripling makes it impossible to report specific performances.
ACT II.. “Time”
(Played by producer Hannah Pell) announces at rise that sixteen years have
passed! Perdita, having been been raised by the generous Old Shepherd (Frank
Weidner who, as Antigonus, was eaten by the bear at the end of Act I) is now
sixteen. Highlight of the show is
the appearance of the scallywag, Autolycus (excellent Olivia Buntaine) who
brings the second half to life with her pickpocketing skills, skullduggery and
mandolin virtuosity. Cute!
Suffice it to say that all’s well that ends well, with
Leontes coming to Bohemia, making amends with his old pal, Polixenes as
Polixenes son, Florizel (Roman Guastaferro) has fallen in love with Perdita,
Hermione ‘comes back to life’ and la dee dah.
This is a noble effort. Hunt and his young cast deserve an
audience and applause, though the twists and turns of Shakespeare’s wonky plot would
be impossible to follow were it not for a thorough perusal of a synopsis before
heading down to the theater!
The
Winter’s Tale by William Shakespeare
Directed by William Dennis Hunt
Mine
is Yours Theatre Company
The Actors Company/ The Other Space
916 A North Formosa Ave
West Hollywood, CA 90046
Friday 12/4 at 8:00PM
Saturday 12/5 at 8:00PM
Sunday 12/6 at 2:00PM
Friday 12/11 at 8:00PM
Saturday 12/12 at 8:00PM
Sunday 12/13 at 2:00PM
$18 general admission
$10 w/code BEAR
