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| Sabrina Spalding and Victoria Reibel in Lydia and the Dawn of Man. Photo – Brian Hinds. |
Lydia and the Dawn of Man
Written by Rachel White
Directed by Brian Hinds
Reviewed by Keith Waits
Entire contents are copyright © 2013, Keith
Waits. All rights reserved.
The same group who produced The Gardeners in May have delivered a
follow-up, once again the work of playwright Rachel White, once again in the
rough garage space of Tim Faulkner's Gallery, although they have now christened
themselves Marrow Street Theater.
Similarities
exist between the two one-act plays, with Lydia
and the Dawn Man another story that balances a naturalistic depiction of less-than-exemplary
human behavior against an unorthodox ideal. Lydia is a college student devoted
to her studies but surrounded by undisciplined libertines who are engaged in
sexual hijinks and My Fair Lady drinking
games (well maybe they do have some redeeming qualities). Lydia remains
dedicated to her reading, with only one thing breaking her concentration: a
pre-historic homo erectus pekinensis,
or "Peking Man."
The
introduction of this fanciful character is handled in such matter-of-fact
fashion that the implausibility of his acceptance into the scenario is somewhat
diluted, and exactly what level of reality he occupies seems left largely to
the audience's judgment. He is clearly important to Lydia in ways that are best
left discovered and not outlined here. Suffice it to say that the relationship
takes Lydia to a different place.
The
"garage theatre" aesthetic being established by Marrow Street in
their residence at Tim Faulkner's is loose and funky, marrying an improvisatory
vibe with intelligent writing. A few quibbles come to mind about technical
things, and one actor kept putting a refrain from My Fair Lady to the wrong melody, but the energy and spirit are
very good. Sabrina Spalding does nice, understated work as Lydia; Victoria
Reibel is an effective contrast as her slutty roommate; Corey Long is funny as
her would-be paramour; and Tony Pike occupies a distinct, non-verbal presence
as Peking Man. Jeremy Sapp, Chelsea Skalski and Julie Polley provide able
support.
Lydia and the Dawn of Man
Wednesdays, September 11-October 2, 2013
7:30 p.m.
Marrow Street Theater at
Tim Faulkner Gallery
943 Franklin Street
Louisville, KY 40206
Theater is really what I want since I was a kid cos I am a music lover and theater is a good entertainment.
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