Theater Reviews

Sep 29, 2007 - Nevada Rep's entertaining commentary on the absurd via Vaclav Havel's "Increased Difficulty of Concentration"

By Jack Neal

Playwright, courageous protector of human rights, and shrewd politician (President of Czechoslovakia), Vaclav Havel, now 71, always has something to say.

But figuring out exactly what he’s saying in his absurdist “The Increased Difficulty of Concentration” is, no doubt, an intended trap of challenges laid by Havel for anyone coming in contact with his provocative 1968 play.

Havel uses dramatic techniques to make his characters and their situations ridiculous. In “The Increased Difficulty of Concentration” the focus, albeit blurred, is attacking fashionable sociological terminology. It would be interesting to see what Havel would do with current fashionable terms such as “in denial” and “enabling.”

The context of Havel’s writing is better understood when viewed in relationship with what was going on when his various plays and essays were written. “Prague Spring” was crushed by Soviet-led Warsaw Pact forces in 1968. This was a period of time when reforms, including freedom of expression, were introduced into Czechoslovakia by Alexander Dubcek, then crushed by the Soviet Union resulting in even tighter controls. Havel was instrumental in the “Velvet Revolution of 1989” after which he became his country’s president.

Perhaps more than anything else “The Increased Difficulty of Concentration” is a running commentary about the meaninglessness of modern life. The action swirls around Dr. Edward Huml, played with conviction and distinction (not to mention considerable nerve) by Bradford D. Ka’ai’ai’. Huml, a social scientist with a special interest in the nature of happiness, finds it impossible to chose a stable life and experience genuine love. His repressed sexuality explodes into affairs with young women, with whom he expresses only lust and none of the human connections that bond into the warmth of intimacy.

The play involves Huml’s relationships with four women: his wife, Vlasta, is handsomely realized by Alison Swallow; his mistress, Renata, is dazzlingly brought off by April Clelia Grenot, who is just so itsy-bitsy-cutesy she’s riveting every moment she’s on stage; his secretary, Blanka, is superbly managed by Christy Fox; and last, but clearly not least, the visiting social scientist Dr. Anna Balcar, played by a fabulously domineering Kimberlee A. Pechnik (marvelously reminiscent of Lotte Lenya in “From Russia With Love”).

The comic relief and daffiness of the action is enhanced by the wacky shenanigans of scientists Karil Kriebl, ditheringly played by Patrick Donahue, and Emil Machal, played to perfection by Daryl Newman. The object of their experiments, the robot Puzuk, is one of Ben Onyx Dowdy’s most fascinating characterizations. Puzuk, in a Teddy Bear looking get-up (designed with imagination by Sarah Potts), is supposed to ask Huml a series of questions, but Puzuk clinks and clanks and conks out. The message? Technology is nothing, but a useless prima donna. Mr. Beck, played with proper exasperation by Tom Krakowiak, is in charge of this portion of the proceedings. He does little more than cross the stage delivering non-sequiturs that mean nothing, but do add a nice touch of seasoning to the play’s off-the-walls humor.

The production is directed by Bob Dillard, whose deft touch and light wit are everywhere to be seen. Nothing makes much sense, but it’s so elegantly presented, who cares? The music, drawn from two great Czech composers Bedrich Smetana and Bohuslav Martinu, is a splendid touch. David Seibert’s simple but gorgeous set, with floor and furniture designs suggested by the work of Czech painter Pavel Liska, is exceptionally attractive. The lighting designs by Larry Walters could not be better. Michelle Spencer Davidson’s costume, hair and makeup designs are just right.

Nevada Rep’s first-rate presentation of “The Increased Difficulty of Concentration” is classy, what-does-it-mean, provocative theater.

The Nevada Repertory Company presentation of Vaclav Havel’s (with translation by Vera Blackwell) “The Increased Difficulty of Concentration” can be experienced Sep.28, 29, October 3, 4, 5, and 6 (2007) at 7:30 p.m. and October 7 (2007) at 1:30 p.m., at the Redfield Studio Theatre on the University of Nevada, Reno campus, 900 North Virginia Street, Reno, Nevada. Information at 775-784-4ART. Tickets at 1-800-225-2277 or online at www.unr.edu/arts.