by M.E. Stauff
There is an
aura---a magical mystery---about Actors Theatre of Nantucket's production of A. R. Gurney's comedy The Golden Age. The theater's current play is definitely worth seeing for its savvy
script and memorable performances.
Gurney---who also wrote Sylvia (recently performed at Theatre Workshop of Nantucket) and The Dining Room---wrote this
script as a sort of revival of 1920's culture with names, books and events which happened during that decade as remembered by the character Isabel Hastings Hoyt (played by Jetti Ames) about 60
years later. She is an elderly woman who resides in her brownstone on New York's Upper East Side with her granddaughter Virginia (played by Bonnie Comley). During her younger years,
Isabel spent her time frolicking and traveling with literary, historical and artistic giants.
Tom (played by Paul Singleton), a part-time college professor and hopeful
author, comes to the house hoping to meet and interview Isabel about the 1920's for a book. Isabel agrees to be interviewed on the condition that Tom provide for Virginia, twice divorced
and an alcoholic, after her death. Apart from this pact, Isabel keeps to herself the assessment that Tom could make solid marriage material.
As Tom learns more about
Isabel's relationships with authors of the 1920's, he is led to believe that she has in her possession a missing manuscript which is a lost chapter of The Great Gatsby
by F. Scott Fitzgerald---his favorite writer. Above all else, his motive changes from acquiring knowledge of the 1920's to wanting to get his hands on this manuscript. He recognizes its literary, cultural and financial value.
To understand much of the humor you will need a basic knowledge of the literature, history and psychology of the 1920's. Gurney alludes to many of these things in wry or
tongue-in-cheek fashion. Also, Isabel teases Tom with tidbits of information and then pulls back. Try as he might, Tom has the devil's |
own time getting to "intellectual" first base with Isabel. Meanwhile, things develop ironically and
unexpectedly with Virginia.
Ames gives a wonderful performance as the indomitable Isabel. Defining her character with a certain aloofness, she covers her own vulnerability
with a delightful---and funny---crustiness.
Singleton makes his ATN debut as Tom. His portrayal of the over-enthusiastic writer---who has a genuine love for his favorite
author---is thoroughly convincing. He has to deal with his zealous desire for the manuscript as well as his interest in Virginia.
Comley, who is also making her ATN debut,
delivers a great performance as the over-protective and addle-brained Virginia. Her character evolves smoothly from someone who has no personality and depends on her grandmother to a woman
who has become her own person by the end.
Making his directorial debut is Stewart F. Lane---the two-time Tony Award winning producer of La Cage Aux Folles and The Will
Rogers Follies. This first shot is certainly impressive. His sense of timing with dialogue exemplifies this gift, and is key to exploiting Gurney's wry humor.
The
lighting (designed by Anne Dunston Cheney) helps set the mood for each scene, whether it is going to be romantic or devilish. The set (by Richard Cary), however is too minimal in light of
Isabel's age and her own propensity for collecting things. The costumes (by Jane Karakula) demonstrate, particularly with Virginia, the evolution of the characters.
All in all, there is something that glitters about this play which tells the story of a man who wants something because he feels it is important to American culture and a woman who will not give
it up because it symbolizes the glory days of her past.
The Golden Age plays every Tuesday through Saturday until September 11 at 8:30pm. ATN is located at the Methodist
Church, 2 Centre Street. For reservations, call 228-6325. |
