Love Without A Visa
This clever piece, about love and bureaucracy, is written by
Sonya Kelly and directed by Gemma Whelan.
It is playing at the New Expressive Works space, 810 SE Belmont St.,
through May 5th. For more
information, go to their site at www.corribtheatre.org
or call 503-389-0579.
It is said that Love is the most potent element in the
universe. But, like all Positive forces,
it needs an antithesis, otherwise we would not recognize the importance of the
Positive. I would vote for Bureaucracy
as a good candidate for that position, as that force sucks all the emotional
and humanity out of anything Good (look at the mess on our Southern border, as
an example). This personal journey from
the author “must give us pause,” as it will restore your faith in the warmth
and dignity the human spirit can have, when faced with seemingly impossible
odds. Heaven is all the sweeter, if one
has to have trod through Hell to get there!
This is a very cleverly constructed sojourn, as it is
presented, “on the fly,” so to speak.
The Irish author, Sonya, in the guise of the very accomplished actor, Sara
Hennessy, will take us on her personal journey to find love. But this trip is without adornments, as she
speaks directly to the audience and only uses a bulletin board and minimal
props to chart her progress.
She is also more than ably assisted by the Stage Manager
(Amy Katrina Bryan), who appears onstage with her, playing other characters and
providing crucial props when necessary.
Quite frankly, I was pleased with this approach to this story-telling
style, as I have always been impressed with a “black box” theatrical setting.
As for the tale, Sonya is an actor and is in a terrible
play/dance production at an Irish castle, where she meets Kate, another actor
in the company. But Kate, being an
Aussie, must return home once her Visa runs out. Needless to say, they fall hopelessly in love
and the remaining story is all the trials and tribulations of staying together
on a permanent basis. Such efforts,
including sending a letter, via a paper sandwich sack, through the mail;
getting stuck with a grumpy, by-the-book immigration officer; trying to
reconcile with in-laws, who may not be as pleased with this union as the pair
are; et. al.
I certainly am not going to reveal the outcome, but I think
the story will touch anyone who has been in love…puppy or otherwise. But, as mention, the style was as compelling as
the story for me. Whelan always gives a
fresh approach to story-telling, as with this tale, and constantly invites the
audience, through their imagination, to participate in creating, filling out,
this world.
Hennessy is a pro and it shows. As she flits about the stage, changing from
one, seemingly random, thought to another, she builds beautifully toward the
fairy tale ending. Also, I was equally
impressed with Bryan, in her many incarnations.
I have often been a believer that, “there are no small parts, only small
actors,” and this, once again, proves the point. Bryan is fully vested in providing the
support for Hennessy, concentrating on the tasks at hand, even when having no
dialogue. I especially liked her droll
immigration officer, and the song that provided a short
interlude in the proceedings. She is a
gem and I hope to see more of her onstage.
I recommend this show.
If you do choose to see it, please tell them Dennis sent you.
--DJS
No comments:
Post a Comment