Eugene Ionesco wrote this play in 1962, when he feared for his own life and was interested in examining death and its inevitability.
Soulpepper assembled a very strong cast for this production, but somehow it was not enough to overcome Friday evening exhaustion. I coudn not sit still and Keith could not stay awake, so we left at the intermission. Clearly we would have been better served had this been a one act play.
Oliver Dennis and Brenda Robbins are two of my favourite Soulpepper actors and both delivered great performances in this play. Dennis as King Berenger was both mad and sad, but definitely funny. Robbins (Queen Marguerite) used her amazing voice and delivery to great effect, pointing out reality to the King and to everyone around him.
Trish Lindstrom was hilarious as the maid, William Webster cynical as the doctor and Karen Rae swanned around fantastically as Queen Marie. Derek Boyes announced everyone and everything with great sincerity.
I would like to see it again, but not soon and not when I am tired.
Okay, Cathy's right: I kept falling asleep, and I cannot blame my workload any more. The tasteless, partially cooked pasta I eat before the show might have had something to do with it, though.
ReplyDeleteStill, the play didn't help. The cast was good but the overall production was not able to overcome the lump in my stomach.
Maybe another time.