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| Writer David Ives. Photo – BBB. |
The Liar
By
David Ives, adapted from Pierre Corneille
Directed
by Charlie Sexton
Review
by Keith Waits
Entire
contents copyright © 2013, by Keith Waits. All
rights reserved.
Although
it is indeed a classical piece in its origin, the presence of this version of
The Liar introduces a modern sensibility to the Young American Shakespeare
Festival at Walden Theatre. The setting and especially the grand and glorious
costumes by Laura Patterson are firmly period, but the new translation by
noted playwright David Ives (Venus in Fur) updates the iambic verse with a
modern sensibility and quick wit that positions this as one of the more
accessible verse texts you are likely to encounter.
The
story follows Dorante, a fellow who is truthful only in explaining the merits
of his gift for compulsive mendacity. After pressing the hapless Cliton into
his service, he meets two women in the Tuileries of Paris, setting out to woo
the one named Clarice…except he has confused her with her friend Lucrece.
Cliton is quite taken with Lucrece’s servant Isabelle, whose twin sister Sabine
is servant to Clarice…. Yeah, it’s that kind of plot, but Mr. Ives works the
story elements for all they are worth, lacing the scenes together with sharp
dialogue and forming the whole into a tightly constructed scenario that seems
designed to move with economy.
Director
Charlie Sexton gives it a brisk staging that makes the most of a smaller cast
than the Shakespeare plays also featured in the festival. Jake Nichols delivers
a tour de force performance as Dorante, using rakish charm to allow us to
connect with a character who seems lacking in empathy and compassion for
others. He seizes the stage in commanding fashion and never lets it go. As
Cliton, Aaron Roitman proves a more than able foil for Dorante, with a
sparkling energy that, at times, almost steals the show from Mr. Nichols. The
women who suffer the shenanigans and eventually master the fools behind them
are essayed with grace and supple good humor by Jordan Lee (Clarice) and Callie
Trawick (Lucrece); and I found Tess Varga to be an absolute delight as the twin
servants, Isabelle and Sabine.
It
bears repeating that The Liar is a much-lauded new translation from 2010 and
that this production is the local premiere of this material. For theatre-goers
who might be put off by the idea of a verse play, I would encourage them to
give this a try. In this merging of modern and classical energies, Walden
Theatre offers a real treat to Louisville audiences.
The Liar
May 9-19
May 9-19
Running
in repertory with The Liar and The Tempest in Walden's annual
Young American Shakespeare Festival
Nancy
Niles Sexton Stage at Walden Theatre
1125
Payne Street
Louisville,
KY 40205
502-589-0084
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