Artists Repertory Theatre **Photo credit: Jason Sipe**January 6 - February 15, 2009
Review by peanutduck
Satan (Denis Arndt), a sly-smiling cheeky bastard, comes to win Sharky’s soul in poteen-fueled card game. But Bill Geisslinger’s Sharky, a joyless, sullen man, whose life is shite, barely flinches - sorely missed point of tension in this subtle play. Tobias Andersen’s Richard, a cantankerous blind old codger, keeps things moving.
4 comments:
I've never seen Tobias better, but everyone was at their best in the Artists' Night performance I saw. This play is an actors' showcase.
The story is old as the hills but told in a leisurely manner that reveals exceptional fondness by the author for his characters.
I looked forward most to seeing the work of Arndt and Geisslinger here, and found it a little puzzling. Arndt uses his body very well, and is worth watching for that alone. But, I had trouble hearing and understanding him in many scenes. (I was about half way back in the small theater.) I also thought his choice to be relatively expressionless with his face and voice was curious, and uninteresting. Geisslinger also took the route of minimal facial expression, even in the scene where he learned his soul was at stake, but was vocally more expressive and interesting than Arndt.
I turned out to be more impressed by Andersen and Norby in this production. Andersen is brilliant in all respects -- use of voice, body, expression and development of character. He makes a cantankerous old codger into a truly loveable, and likeable, character. Norby plays a character that only shows up at the end of the first act. Despite his late arrival, however, Norby takes this character, who is at great risk of being a two-dimensional afterthought, and fully embodies him. He creates depth and nuance that makes the character one of the two most charming, likeable and memorable in the play. Having read the play, I did not expect it, and found it to be a significant and noteworthy achievement.
Van Voris had great comic timing, I might add.
Overall, a very interesting and enjoyable show. Definitely worth the time and money -- no matter which of these great actors you hope to learn something from!
nothing wrong with the acting here.
the play is a little dull though.
the biggest flaw here however is the lack of any consistent or credible irish accents.
not one was in evidence.
not that 97% of the audience would know.
but i knew i was not seeing the play as it was written.
i felt i was seeing many degrees of separation from broadway.
sometimes an actor enters the scene and you can feel your body relax, sit back, and assume the position of pure enjoyment.
you know you are in good hands, capable hands, wise hands.
you know that you will not be confused or disappointed.
you will be enlightened and delighted.
this is what it is to see tobias anderson enter the scene.
he lights the scene from within.
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