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| Photo by Adam Liberman |
“The Game’s Afoot”
The U. S. Premiere of this serio-comedy is written by
Charlie O’Neill and directed by Tracy Cameron Francis. It is playing at their current space, 810 SE
Belmont, through October 28th.
For more information, go to their site at www.corribtheatre.org or call
503-389-0579.
We are all our brother’s keepers and the earth is jointly our
home. With all the controversy now as to
immigrant issues, not only here but world-wide, this is a very timely
story. Why a government would choose to
foster violence and poverty in their own country, and have their own people
fleeing from their homeland, is beyond me.
But it seems to be a growing epidemic on this good earth. The solution should be to stamp out the root
causes of such disruption but, until then, we need to be a comfort and refuge
to those seeking asylum.
This story takes place in the present day in the west of
Ireland. It seems that immigrants from
Eastern Europe, South America, Asia, Africa, etc. have also arrived on the
shores of Ireland. Besides being driven
out of their own countries, they all feel the need to make themselves
indispensable to their adopted homeland.
Enter a one-time priest, a bit of a tippler, Lofty (Clara-Liis Hillier),
who may have lost his way in God’s Eyes, but still has the love of a game
called Hurling (a type of hockey on a field).
And so, it seems his destiny may be to lead this band of
misfits into the arena, in which they might be able to show their mettle and determination. In this motley crew is Musa (James Dixon),
Fatmata (Falynn Burton) and an assorted ensemble of rainbow-colored individuals
(Kenneth Dembo, Heath Hyun Houghton, Wynee Hu and Alec Cameron Lugo) that may
create history and be allowed to shine their true hues on the turf.
But not everybody is happy with such an explosion of color
in this country, mainly Rusty (Cynthia Shur Petts), who does everything
possible to block their progress. But
when these noble vagabonds begin to make some headway at the games, he is
willing to try any sort of devious methods to stop their progress. The story has elements from the films, Hoop
Dreams, Rocky, Hoosiers, et al. But it
also embraces the more universal issues of self-worth, humane behavior and
respect for the individual, regardless of background, color or beliefs.
The show has been located on an essentially bare stage, a
playing field, with only some benches and hurling sticks as props, which had to
have been a nightmare to choreograph for the cast, and director, Francis, who
shines as well. The cast also plays
multiple characters, as well as their own team and the opposing side! Quite a feat but these actors are all pros,
as I have seen them in other incarnations before, always successful.
Also, kudos to the lighting designer, Sarah Hughey, who had
to create mood and setting with a handful of lights and did it very well. An exciting show, boosted a notch upward by cross-gender
and cross-cultural casting, which is as it should be.
I highly recommend this ensemble work and, if you do choose to see it, please tell them Dennis sent
you.
--DJS
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