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About
Pat Launer, Center Stage on KSDS JAZZ88
at Cygnet Theatre
October 4, 2013
It’s a double-header and a double whammy.
The pairing of a beloved comic classic, skewering Victorian society, and a head-spinning, occasionally mind-numbing disquisition on history, war, change, politics, memory and art. They overlap ingeniously, since “Travesties,” written in 1974, features lines, scenes and characters from “The Importance of Being Earnest,” created in 1895.
Both playwrights were celebrated wits of their time; Oscar Wilde was known for his pithy epigrams and Tom Stoppard remains famously brilliant and prolix in his hyper-intellectual writings, which often require pages of glossary and background material. “Earnest” is hilarity for the masses, Wildely funny and irresistibly satirical.
“Travesties” is another story, definitely not for the intellectually squeamish. It brings together, in considerable detail, the simultaneous 1917 Zurich sojourns of three radicals: ground-breaking Irish writer James Joyce, Russian revolutionary Vladimir Lenin and Tristan Tzara , French-Romanian expounder of the nihilistic arts movement of Dadaism.
A decade ago, Sean Murray brought this dynamic dramatic duo to North Coast Repertory Theatre, where he was artistic director. Now, as artistic director of Cygnet Theatre, he thought it was time to revisit these disparate siblings and see how they’re getting along.
“Earnest” requires nothing but a sense of humor, and Murray’s production is flat-out uproarious, without veering into drag or camp. It’s a delight to see the imperious “gorgon” Lady Bracknell played by a woman again, and Linda Libby, using the full range of her formidable voice, deliciously captures the monstrous matriarch. Every actor enlivens his/her role with delectable personality quirks and an array of emotions marvelously played upon the face. This “Earnest,” as gut-busting as it is nuanced, absolutely must not be missed.
As for “Travesties,” well, it’s a matter of taste and brain-work. There’s the neck-snapping speed of speech and esoteric references, coupled with foreign accents, antic stage business and stream of consciousness rants.
It’s a terrific conceit: a shabby, addled Englishman, formerly a diplomatic functionary, is looking back from 1974 to recall the seminal events of 1917, making himself the star of the story, a central presence for the three philosophical heavyweights who, each in his own way, changed the course of history. The real Henry Carr did actually interact with Joyce, starring in his company’s production of “Earnest.” But the rest gets muddled in memory, with occasional rewinds and inventive re-imaginings.
In both plays, Murray’s direction is outstanding, as are the set, lighting, sound and costumes. The repertory performances are superb: gutsy, risk-taking, intense, verbose, outrageous at times. But 2½ hours of time-hopping and ideological bombardment, even if interspersed with spoofy sonnets, limericks and songs, can wear you down. Still, the overlaps with “Earnest” never fail to amuse and the proximity of the plays is priceless.
“Travesties” and “The Importance of Being Earnest” play in repertory through October 27, at Cygnet Theatre in Old Town.
©2013 PAT LAUNER
MUSIC SELECTIONS
FOR THEATER REVIEW
Center Stage with Pat Launer on KSDS JAZZ88
THEATER REVIEWS
“THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING EARNEST” and “TRAVESTIES”
at Cygnet Theatre
October 4, 2013
IN: “It Takes Two” (Marvin Gaye and Kim Weston)
OUT: “What a Wonderful World This would Be ” (Art Garfunkel)
THEATER PROMO
Center Stage with Pat Launer on KSDS JAZZ88
THEATER REVIEWS
“THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING EARNEST” and “TRAVESTIES”
at Cygnet Theatre
October 4, 2013
Hi, I’m Pat Launer… Join me Center Stage, on Jazz 88.3, for my regular theater review. This week, a side-splitter and a mind-bender. Catch my reviews of “The Importance of Being Earnest” and “Travesties,” coming up tomorrow (this morning) at 9, on San Diego’s Jazz 88.3.
I’m Pat Launer, Center Stage on San Diego’s Jazz88.3.
Center Stage with Pat Launer
THEATER REVIEWS
“THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING EARNEST” and “TRAVESTIES”
at Cygnet Theatre
October 4, 2013
INTRO:
PREPARE YOUR FUNNYBONE …. AND YOUR BRAIN.
KSDS THEATER CRITIC PAT LAUNER REVIEWS “THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING EARNEST” AND “TRAVESTIES.”
OUTRO :
“TRAVESTIES” AND “THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING EARNEST” PLAY IN REPERTORY AT CYGNET THEATRE IN OLD TOWN, THROUGH OCTOBER 27.
PAT WILL BE BAC K WITH A THEATER REVIEW NEXT FRIDAY AT 9AM, WITH AN ENCORE PRESENTATION EVERY SATURDAY MORNING AT 9.
YOU CAN READ AND LISTEN TO HER REVIEWS ONLINE, ANY TIME, AT JAZZ88.ORG.
