Category Archives: Theatre

Van Gogh’s earnest realism shines through

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Seattle Times had this to say about Vincent:

A stocky, utterly sincere fellow in his early 20s (as vividly portrayed by Shawn Telford), this Dutchman abroad is fluent in English and French, a voracious reader and a sophisticated art lover.

But as Telford keeps reminding us, through the awkward pitch of his posture and blurting intensity in his voice, Vincent is also socially inept and agonizingly lonely. And when he discovers a kindred soul in that kitchen, he lunges for it and any communion it might offer.

“Vincent in Brixton” is a play about the making of an artist but, enrichingly, about other things, too. The desire to be a muse. The strains between domesticity and art. The overwhelming, insidious nature of mental depression, eased (however briefly) by love.

& then this:

ACT’s version prospers from Telford’s implosive/explosive intensity, but at least as much from Allgood’s ability to convey the full emotional spectrum of Ursula. This is a plum role for a versatile actress, and there isn’t a false note in how Allgood’s long-suffering Ursula reacts — with curiosity, humor, skepticism, and a poignant, fearful joy — to Vincent’s demanding outbursts, and later to his erotic tenderness

read the full article at the Seattle Times.

Actress Anne Allgood excels at emotional extremes

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Seattle PI Theatre Critic Joe Adcock had this to say about Vincent:

“Her Ursula starts severe and stoical. Shawn Telford, as Vincent, is not only raw and ruthless but also endearing and beguiling. Moved by his eccentric neediness, Ursula shifts from severe and stoical to giddy — giddy in a mature way — and affectionate.”

&

“Renata Friedman plays Vincent’s ghastly sister Anna. The role is little more than a crank to shift the plot’s direction. Devlin Borra, as Sam, an amiable working class craftsman/artist, provides a welcome contrast to Telford’s displays of boorish egotism.”

I can’t tell if he liked or didn’t like it. One thing is for sure, he’s a cynical writer.

Read the full article at the Seattle PI.

Grapes Of Wrath

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DIRECTED BY LINDA HARTZEL
OCTOBER 14 – NOVEMBER 19, 2005
PREVIEWS OCTOBER 7 – 13
INTIMAN THEATRE

INTIMAN’s five-year American Cycle initiative continues with The Grapes of Wrath, directed by Linda Hartzell, Artistic Director of Seattle Children’s Theatre. This epic story of Tom Joad and his journey across America is both a family saga and an extraordinary evocation of our nation’s history during the 1930s. John Steinbeck’s Pulitzer Prize-winning novel about migrant farm workers during the Great Depression combines social activism and spiritual urgency to stand as one of the greatest expressions of human dignity ever written. It speaks to an important moment in our country’s past — and expresses something profound about the human spirit, and our capacity to survive in the face of adversity. Frank Galati’s adaptation, described as “majestic” by Frank Rich in the New York Times, won the 1990 Tony Award for Best Play.

I play several characters, basically anyone who comes along to harass the Joads as they travel to California. Yes, all the assholes. But I get to shoot a gun and have a few fights. Did I mention that I’m also the fight captain? This means I get to come in early and run the fights, make sure no one gets hurt and it looks convincing. Lots of fun.

Vincent in Brixton

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I’m preparing for a new show at ACT Theatre in Seattle. Here is the info…

DIRECTED BY KURT BEATTIE
SEPTEMBER 8 – OCTOBER 2, 2005
PREVIEWS SEPTEMBER 2 – 7
IN THE ALLEN THEATRE

Before he knew he was a painter, brash, young Vincent van Gogh lived and worked in South London for three years as an art dealer, an experience that his mother would later recall as altering her son’s character. The emergence of genius and the costs of an extravagantly sensitive sensibility are the subjects of Nicholas Wright’s 2003 Olivier Award-winner.

Extrapolated from Van Gogh’s personal family correspondence, Wright weaves a rich, detailed exploration of the nature of artistic inspiration through an unlikely romance – a love made all the more unpredictable by the involvement of genius.