Now in
its seventh season, the Judith Shakespeare Company is presenting Phase
One of the History Cycle under the steady eye and ear of the Artistic
Director, Joanne Zipay. The MTV concept of “unplugged”
translates here to something less than a full production but something
much more than a staged reading.
Ms. Zipay,
for these “Concert Performances,” seems extremely interested
in focusing on the text in all of its intricacies and nuances. But
she has not abandoned the company’s purpose of “re-examining
the roles for women in the classical theatre” -- although I
think that here she has succeed in examining the roles of both men
and women in these plays.
In both
Henry 4 Parts 1 & 2, women take on the major roles of King Richard,
Prince Hal, Westmoreland, Hotspur, John of Gaunt, Falstaff and Bolingbroke,
as well as others.
Of note,
Jane Titus (Bolingbroke), Vicki Hirsch (Westmoreland), Sheriden Thomas
(Falstaff) seem to understand the concept of women playing the roles
traditionally played by men rather than role reversal. These are veterans
of the Judith Shakespeare Company and that may be why they seem comfortable
in the text and roles, thus making it easy to forget the gender of
the characters and pay attention to the text and the story.
Laurie
Bannister-Colón (Hal) warms to it but Lea C. Franklin (Hotspur)
never quite finds her footing. There is something uncomfortably “modern”
in her characterization at times. It would help if she understood
the power of stillness and silence.
Ms. Zipay
also has men taking on the roles normally played by women. The most
successful is the deliciously naughty Vince Gatton (Doll Tearsheet/Lady
Percy) who, along with the bawdy Sheriden Thomas (Falstaff), brings
their playful scene alive and nearly runs away with the show. Mr.
Gatton, doubtless with the help of Ms. Thomas and Ms. Zipay, lives
every moment. He could hold his own to any woman playing that role.
Ms. Zipay
has, for the most part, found women who make the concept work and
the play come alive. Not to slight the men -- of note, along with
Mr. Gatton, are Kevin Till, David Huber, and Peter Zazzali, who play
several different roles.
There are
suggested costume pieces, all black with touches of red to signify
royalty, and minimal blocking, but this is all to further the idea
of making Shakespeare understandable and accessible to both the novice
audience member and the Bard-timid actor.
PJ Merola
(Composer and Percussionist) provides musical and sound punctuation
that lends a polish to the production.
If this
is Phase One of the History Cycle, it should be important to all actors
and students studying Shakespeare to try to see as many of the plays
in the Cycle as they can. Ms. Zipay should take a page from the Public
Theatre and attempt all of the Shakespeare plays in this fashion.