Ann Noble's A BELLA INCARCERATION

 Ann Noble's 

A BELLA INCARCERATION  presents an exploration of what one person can do, may do, should do:  Must Do!

An n Noble as Bella

 

Full disclosure:  I am a fan of Ann Noble. She is one of the most protean  actors I've seen in years.  Her ability to allow a character to emerge is exquisite. This show has some surprises.  We go from discovery of her cute blonde clown, Bella, rightly incarcerated  for a misdeed and her envy of tall folks to discussions of civil disobedience. 

Bella conjurs  three prominent women from history via a tubby little mini-Bella complete with pink nose and blonde curls.

 The these three women are and were important in modern  history.  Journalist Nellie Bly (May 5, 1864 - January 27, 1922),  Anarchist Emma Goldman (June 27, 1869 – May 14, 1940)  and Political Activist Dorothy Day (November 8, 1897 -  November 29, 1980).  Each in her time stood for social principles that still need  attention today. 

Noble has pulled these important American activists into the future to find 'truth' in why we do what we do.  "What I did for love?"  or passion? Each has a story.

Ann Noble is committed to theatre. A Bella Incarceration is mounted simply: a cage and a few props. It's presentational, drawing the audience in.. Bella's 'cell' is surrounded on three sides by her audience. The play is intimate.   Bella tells us that her incarceration  is because of Fire!! the fire of love  or passion or maybe even compassion... as she's in the clink for love of a tree.  

I really don't like the word 'interesting.'  It's a nuisance word that we often use when we don't know exactly what to say.. We meet Bella and hear her issues with tall folks. Meet the historical women  and then 'interesting' happens. No spoiler alert except to say that the left turn transformation of the naive Bella is profound and... Interesting.   Bella's sharp awakening is dramatic with a story in mime and some cool business with a symbolic light bulb including Noble's fluid dance moves.. 

Very interesting.  We come from what is a pretty straight forward polemic that quotes these famous women to something apparently deep and personal that contrasts the other stuff.

This is a must see production, if for no other reason than to find the kernels   of truth that lie beneath the surface of what must be a very personal story.   Noble's imagined characters are crisp.. The revelations that blossom in Bella Ventricula and the 'interesting' contrast supported by an orchestral cello version of "The Sound of Silence" plays. It all comes together in a commitment to an important idea. 

 A Bella Incarceration is a Very Interesting piece, in the best sense:  inviting us to find the 'fire inside' which may be the foundation that buoys up the entire presentation.

A BELLA INCARCERATION

written and  performed by  Ann Noble

• Sundays at 7 p.m.: Sept. 21 and Sept. 28
• Mondays at 8 p.m.: Sept. 22 and Sept. 29
• Tuesday at 8 p.m.: Sept. 23 ONLY

WHERE:
Echo Theater Company
Atwater Village Theatre
3269 Casitas Ave
Los Angeles, CA 90039

PARKING:
FREE in the Atwater Crossing (AXT) lot one block south of the theater

TICKET PRICE:
• Individual tickets: $20

HOW:
EchoTheaterCompany.com
310-307-3753