By Jason Hagey and Alisha Hagey
An Other Theater Company’s Edward II rages with obsession, passion, and revenge. Provo Towne Centre houses a small but mighty theatre troupe. Rife with characters of limited moral compass, the rogues are selfish and angry. Edward II explores questions about the social limitations of love, the fragility of familial relations, the combativeness of government, and the fallibilities of human beings.
The story opens on the newly crowned King Edward II. He already seems to have rifts between himself and the disapproving nobles. Quickly we find out why. Edward II is reunited with his lover (whom his father previously banished): Gaveston. What follows is a battle of wits and wills as the King struggles for Gaveston while those around him plot for his overthrow. Christopher Marlowe creates a suspenseful tale pitting brother against brother and kingdom against king.
Marlowe’s text does create problems. The show is very plot heavy. Because of this, there is little time for character development and little time for the audience to learn to care and connect with any singular character. This same rushed nature creates a great many two dimensional characters. This is an uphill battle for actors and directors to face when looking at these limitations. The text is suspenseful, however. As an audience member, you don’t know what is going to happen next or how it will all play out. You watch with bated breath. As well, the text is daring. It is a show about an openly homosexual king whom we follow and cheer for (regardless of the fact that there really aren’t any ‘good’ people; they are all selfishly out for themselves to the detriment of all others around them). During the Elizabethan time, this content would have been extremely bold.
In this unique space you have to take risks. Taylor Jack Nelson does this with bravado through providing a simple set. Nelson allows the actors to have the freedom to move while asking the audience to imagine the various locations. It works. Aaron Gubler (lighting design) supports the set and the setting. He does a lot with the limitations inherent in the location.
Kellan Connolly shines with the fight choreography. It is strong, compelling, and always in motion. There is a rawness and an anger in the moves that is at once believable and always intoxicating.
Sierra Crawford (costume design) has the difficult task of trying to merge the time period with the present day all the while giving the actors freedom of movement. At times, the costumes feel like they are fighting against each other. On their own, they are strong. Together, they don’t tell a complete story. Part of the issue is that through the challenge of directing such a monster play, by Kailey Azure Green and Jessamyn Svensson, a clear concept is missing. We are given good stage pictures, great transitions (they always keep the pace moving without wasting a lot of time), but there doesn’t seem to be a connecting thread. Are we time period or are we present day? Merging the two is very difficult. It is a brave effort.
Carter Walker (Edward II) has a difficult character to portray. Edward II is not a hero. He isn’t exactly a villain either. Though his overarching objective is clear (his love for Gaveston driving much of his behavior) the development of Edward II is one of ups and downs, side-to-side emotions, and rash decisions. Walker works hard to find the nuances in Edward and gives his all to the performance. His rage is palpable, as is his pain, and Walker pushes the limits of every mental state. Walker isn’t afraid to go as far as he can to portray Edward II as authentic and honest.
Though all of the actors believe in giving powerful performances and try desperately to do their characters (big and small) justice, Tyler Fox (Mortimer) and Brooke Wilkins (Kent) are of especial talent. Fox is a rare character actor. He has skill in turning a thought, twisting an idea, and being completely believable with every phrase. His lines drip off his tongue and his ability to create diversity in his line delivery is perhaps the strongest of any of the actors in the cast. Wilkins is a master of subtlety. Her manner is a sublime balance between naturalness and emotional honesty. Though never one to upstage a fellow actor, and she’s not very tall either, she commands attention when she comes on stage. Wilkins is a fantastic addition to this cast.
If I could give any suggestion to this production, it would be to help the audience know when intermission and the close of the play happen. There are two moments of total blackout that are confusing to the audience so that when the blackout for intermission arrives, no one knows if the story is continuing or if we are at break. This could be solved by removing the earlier blackouts, using a loud music cue, or even having a voice over say, “we will now have a 15 minute intermission.” It is a simple request, but I believe it would help the production become stronger and more solidified. That being said, the show is a suspenseful and emotional journey well-worth the ticket price.
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Again it is worth noting that Connolly’s choreography truly moves this show to a new level. Because of a team willing to put their all into those movements, we believe the characters, engage in the history, and travel with the text. I have never seen such convincing fight choreography in community theatre. More especially, the power of the choreography is enhanced in that the audience is sometimes only inches from the action.
An Other Theater Company’s Edward II is a unique piece of theater, not oft produced. I recommend the experience. Though seeking for some sense of existential meaning and purpose, Edward II posits the nihilistic nature of fighting for what you love at all costs. In the end, one has to ask: Is love and passion worth it?
An Other Theater Company presents Edward II by Christopher Marlowe
Provo Towne Centre 1200 Towne Centre Blvd, Provo, UT 84601 located on the 2nd floor of the mall near Dillards
January 11 – February 2, 2019 Friday-Saturday 7:30 PM
Tickets: $14 online ($12 for Students/Seniors), $17 at the door ($15 for Students/Seniors)
Contact: 801-735-6868
Edward II Facebook Event
An Other Theater Company Facebook Page
CONTENT ADVISORY: This play contains adult themes and some violence.
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