Spring Break
'Restoration Comedy' Shocks, Entertains
Kelly Hushin
Issue date: 10/6/06 Section: Focus
The production "Restoration Comedy" leaves audiences with no question as to why its advertisements came with a disclaimer citing "sexually explicit material not suitable for young children. "There is kissing. There is groping. There is provocative dancing. There is bare skin. The show is undoubtedly sexy.
In a play called "Restoration Comedy," it is typical to see sexually suggestive material, as that is a characteristic that defines plays of the restoration, or 17th century. It is also typical to see large, ornate, cumbersome costumes. It is even typical to see actors dance a minuet, a social dance of the period. It is not, however, typical of restoration plays, to see actors grinding to the song, "Filthy and Gorgeous," by British band The Scissor Sisters in the opening number.
Connecticut Repertory Theatre (CRT) began its fall season with a preview of "Restoration Comedy," at the Naffe Katter Theatre Thursday night. The play follows the unfaithful lech, Loveless, as he returns to England after being away for 10 years on a sexual tour of Europe. He returns to find his long-lost wife, Amanda has been coached by her friend Worthy to appear less virtuous and more lewd in hopes to attract Loveless, who thought she was dead. The two reunite and both end up surprised by the tricks played on them by other characters in the games of love.
It is not only the contemporary song at the beginning of the show that gives audiences an immediate sense of director Dale AJ Rose's unique blend of modern and period influences. While actors wear clothes that move and fit like traditional 17th century dress, the colors of the costumes and sets are anything but period appropriate. The set floor is painted a sky blue with pink and yellow hearts and kisses. The buildings, retro furniture and period clothing are accented with bright orange and gold. The backdrop of the set is painted in a set of colored blocks a la Andy Warhol. As Loveless says, the atmosphere screams loud and clear that, "Variety is the spice of life, it's true."
In a play called "Restoration Comedy," it is typical to see sexually suggestive material, as that is a characteristic that defines plays of the restoration, or 17th century. It is also typical to see large, ornate, cumbersome costumes. It is even typical to see actors dance a minuet, a social dance of the period. It is not, however, typical of restoration plays, to see actors grinding to the song, "Filthy and Gorgeous," by British band The Scissor Sisters in the opening number.
Connecticut Repertory Theatre (CRT) began its fall season with a preview of "Restoration Comedy," at the Naffe Katter Theatre Thursday night. The play follows the unfaithful lech, Loveless, as he returns to England after being away for 10 years on a sexual tour of Europe. He returns to find his long-lost wife, Amanda has been coached by her friend Worthy to appear less virtuous and more lewd in hopes to attract Loveless, who thought she was dead. The two reunite and both end up surprised by the tricks played on them by other characters in the games of love.
It is not only the contemporary song at the beginning of the show that gives audiences an immediate sense of director Dale AJ Rose's unique blend of modern and period influences. While actors wear clothes that move and fit like traditional 17th century dress, the colors of the costumes and sets are anything but period appropriate. The set floor is painted a sky blue with pink and yellow hearts and kisses. The buildings, retro furniture and period clothing are accented with bright orange and gold. The backdrop of the set is painted in a set of colored blocks a la Andy Warhol. As Loveless says, the atmosphere screams loud and clear that, "Variety is the spice of life, it's true."
Viewing Comments 1 - 1 of 1
Wendy
posted 10/06/06 @ 4:13 PM EST
The Scissor Sisters are not British; they're as American as apple pie! (They're just underappreciated here in the U.S.)
Post a Comment