Theater Reviews

Nov 15, 2007 - The Nevada Repertory Company's solidly produced "The Trojan Women" comes close to compelling theater

By jack neal

Written some 2400 years ago, Euripides’ “The Trojan Women” is particularly relevant to our time. The play demonstrates that in the short term the devastation of war and the suffering it brings falls on the vanquished, in the long term it leaves its mark on the victors as well.

Director Carl Foreman’s 1963 film, “The Victors,” deals with the same subject. “The Victors” makes it apparent that in war it’s difficult to fathom the difference between the winners and the losers. There are differences, wide ranging ones, but the point is well taken. The subject of war is one of morality, not just winning and losing.

It’s appropriate that the Nevada Repertory Company, as the actor’s studio for the University of Nevada, Reno, take on this classic play. It’s a play young actors should perform and learn from, and audiences should see and ponder.

The problem for young actors? “The Trojan Women” is so unrelentingly tragic, it’s lines so overbearingly profound, it’s ambiance so grimly awful for actors to act and an audience to endure, it’s an enormous challenge to bring it off without having someone shout at the play’s stage full of shrieking women, “Get over it! Your side lost!”

Director Sue Klemp has fashioned a stylish production that sails quickly (93 minutes) through the tumultuous waters of being on the losing side. Larry Walters’ set design is handsome. That its rather large steps make movement almost as hazardous as the subject matter is of little concern. Everyone managed without incident and its dramatic look is just what the play demands. Michael Fernbach’s lighting is the artful stuff that underscores the dramatic action with the subtlety it needs. Emily Anderson’s costume, hair and makeup designs – save the warriors’ helmets which tend to muffle lines – are exceptional. The production is artfully designed in every way.

What isn’t always possible to overcome with a youthful cast is how to deliver lines that never let up, with the distinction they need to make the play speak to the heart. The notion that someone might shout “Get over it!” is an indication that the right modulation has not quite been struck. The variation between overdone, as in placing the material on the road to hysterical hyberbole, and perfectly done, as in placing the material on the road to reason and a realization that war is barbaric and should not be tolerated, is the fracture of nuance that makes Nevada Rep’s “The Trojan Women” not quite work.

That having been said, virtually all the performances in this difficult play are admirable.

Angela Sonner’s portrait of Hecuba, the Queen of Troy, is brought off with assurance. As Cassandra, Lynn Lombardi, comes close to a characterization of poignancy. Zachary Bortot infuses his approach to Tathybius with gallantry sans warmth – although Hecuba hardly gives the guy a chance. Ryan Palomo is a commanding Menelaus whose scornful treatment of Helen, under less formal circumstances, might actually elicit applause. As the gorgeous Helen of legendary fame, Casey Ann Bruington has the thankless task of begging for her life in a situation were the drama of the moment has been upstaged by the drama of every other moment.

Choreographer Martina Young has provided the Greek chorus aspects of the production with ritualized movement the women of the chorus manage well, often affectingly. The Greek soldiers contingent of the cast is properly stoic and frightening.

Nicholas Rudall has provided the translation. It works well enough. It just may be, however, that as timely as its anti-war subject matter is, “The Trojan Women” may be too dated in its total woefulness to be the classic play for modern audiences it once was for ancient ones.

The Nevada Repertory Company presentation of “The Trojan Women” can be seen at the Redfield Proscenium Theatre, 900 North Virginia Street, Reno, Nevada, November 9, 10, 14 (the performance reviewed), 15, 16, 17 (2007) at 7:30 p.m. and November 18 (2007) at 1:30 p.m. For information call 775-784-4ART, 1-800-225-2277, or go online at www.unr.edu/arts.