Here is a rare opportunity to hear and see a well
spoken, well acted, and well directed remarkable verse play
· By Jane Penistan
Under Milk Wood is Dylan Thomas's first verse play and last published
work. The original script was written over a ten-year span and
only finished a very short time before the author's death. Originally
a broadcast script commissioned by the BBC, the adaptation to the
stage poses a challenge to a director.
Sarah Rodgers meets this challenge admirably. The essential element
of the words is realized and delivered with understanding and insight. "The
ring of words" that Thomas so reveled in, is evidently also
enjoyed to the full by the director and her cast. The characters
of the many roles have been explored in depth, so that the several
different inhabitants of Llaregub are easily distinguished during
the progress of the play. The timing and varied pace here, together
with animated and controlled performances all add up to an excellent
verbal presentation.
As if this were not enough, Izzy Rubin has dressed the stage with
a variety of wooden, trap door boxes, and platforms. |
These
both elevate and conceal the speakers as occasion demands, moving
the audience
eye from one point to another, to focus on a kitchen, cowshed, or
harbour as required. This retains the contained entity of the close-knit
village. That there is an outside world is there, but is disregarded
by most of the hard working or hard living villagers. The Reverend
Eli Jenkins acknowledges this, as does the much-travelled blind Captain
Cat.
The transition between dreaming and reality
is also managed subtly, but distinctly throughout the production
by all ten members of the cast, who each play several roles. The
clothes are suitably nondescript, enabling the actors to use their
own movement and gesture to distinguish each different member of
the community each is playing. All these young performers present
sharp tongued harridans, languishing young or elderly women, grizzled
old fishermen and sailors, hard-fisted shopkeepers, feckless youths
and the dedicated minister and his organist.
The accompanying music is played by members of the cast,
using small instruments. The only criticism here is that
the notes of the organ, or possibly the harmonium, of Organ
Morgan are missing.
As the opening production of the 2004-05 season at the Frederic
Wood Theatre, Under Milk Wood augurs well for the rest of
the year and for the success of the talented director and
her cast and company. Here is a rare opportunity to hear
and see a well spoken, well acted, and well directed remarkable
verse play.
Under Milk Wood runs
at the Frederic Wood Theatre at 7.30 p.m. Monday through
Saturday. For more information, reservations,
and tickets phone the Box Office at 604-822-2678 or visit
www.theatre.ubc.ca.
This article was taken from the Review
Vancouver online.
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