THEATRE REVIEW
'Red Nose' provokes thought, laughs
By Michael Birchenall
Weekender Theater Critic
Weekender, The Herndon Times
Times Community Newspapers (Link
to Article)
Wednesday, June 12, 2002
From the playwright who brought the London stage a dark comedic play
called "Auschwitz" and was resoundingly reviled by both critics and audiences in
the late 1960s, Peter Barnes later won the Olivier award in London theater in
1985 for "best play" for his satirical "Red Noses."
If the deathly plight of Jews (Barnes is Jewish) was too awful and too
current for a ghastly laugh, Barnes went on to create a little time-distance
with "Red Noses," setting the action in France in 1348 and building his dark
theme around the black plague. Today it's on the Elden Street Players (ESP)
stage (giving added meaning to "black Box"), and the humor is pointed and clever
and laced with enough corny groaners to ease the severity of the subject.
Director James Vaughn, last seen on the ESP adult stage as Rocky in the
highly acclaimed "The Rocky Horror Show," appears to delight in the fringes of
theater's darker side, but he does so with a careful hand--always aware of
keeping the show's biting humor fresh, rather than letting it fall into an ugly
dark pit. It's not a play that I particularly care for--it's corny side is
annoying and perhaps too protective of the sharper themes of church corruption
and politicization of human misery.
The first act's performance was unusually rough for an Elden
production--lines missed, flubbed and stepped on--but the second act reversed
all the visions of perhaps needing more rehearsal, when actors gathered the
momentum of the Barnes words within the structure set by director Vaughn.
The play captures the fervor and fears of people in times of catastrophic
events beyond their control--a time when organized religion and others used the
vulnerability of man to gather in the masses for control. The extreme darkness
of the plague years brought out the manipulative-reasoned religious leaders and
the sick and evil-minded like the flagellants and grave robbers.
Then there are the simple and seeking minds of the average man. The
desperation of human nature is offset by the curious Marcel Flote, a wandering
monk who believes God has called him to bring the world laughter in the face of
the plague, "bright stars not sad comets, red noses not black death. He wants
joy."
Gathering a band of "Christ's Clowns" armed with red noses and a spirit of
merriment, the troupe heads out to cast a light of hope in time of severe
darkness. The play has a decidedly English humor--a devilishly delightful edge.
Michael Kharfen as Father Flote is marvelous--keeping his character's
behavior on the oddly simple side with enough fervor to make him convincing and
appealing. Kharfen is immersed in the role, giving the audience a compelling
characterization.
The play has to be fun for actors with small character parts--the play
overflows with juicy roles relished by the band of thespians brought together by
director Vaughn. Allison Galen is wonderful as the "Master Bells," giving us an
impish, but warm reading of the ringing soul. Sally Cusenza is a saucy Sister
Marguerite with her portrayal of the oversexed nun.
Kathryn M. Brais gives us the pleasantly lewd Camille, mistress of the
whore's guild, playing us for several well-deserved bawdy laughs. Celia deBlas
bathes us in the earthy sensuality of Marie, a whore peer of Camille.
Christopher Robin cannot get enough of his blind man's role as Jean LeGrue. He
doesn't want the play to end, and I know I would gladly laugh once more to see
him on stage again--maybe working on his knife-throwing routine.
Once again Richard Klare can take a role and stake out his regal claim to the
stage--this time as Pope Clement VI. I cannot imagine a more convincing
politicized pope of the 14th century or any other century. Jake Kamins beams
with joy at having the character Jean Mistral jump from his acting being,
grabbing all the built-in laughs.
"Red Noses" is sick with the joy the Boutros sisters Elizabeth Otani and Mary
Yee bring to the one-legged chorus line of two--they can dance at my disco
anytime. "Red Noses" is ripe with dark humor and rich with a view of the world
truer than we can admit without laughter to wash away the sadness.
Elden Street thrives once again in its niche of great community
entertainment, forcing us to think, even if we have to chuckle to do it.
'Red Noses'
Elden Street Players of Herndon
Where: The Industrial Strength Theatre, 269 Sunset Business Park, Herndon
Web site:
http://www.eldenstreetplayers.org
Performances: June 14, 15, 16(E), 21, 22, 23(E), 28, 29
Curtain: 8 p.m., 7 p.m. (Sundays)
Tickets: Play, $12 (adults), $10 (children and seniors)
Information/reservations: 703-481-5930
ŠArcom Publishing Inc. - Times Community Newspapers 2002
