Reviewed by Jennifer Benoit-Bryan
Commedia Beauregard’s interpretation of Machiavelli’s The Mandrake at Raven Theatre was scattered and overwrought. The plot of the Mandrake is full of comedic possibility with a playboy, Callimaco, scheming to trick another man in to allowing Callimaco to sleep with his beautiful and virtuous wife. However, the adaptation fell a bit flat, largely due to the overplaying of a number of roles in the play.
In contrast, Neil O’Callaghan playing Callimaco’s servant Siro, stood out, providing a deft touch with the satirical elements of the play provoking genuine humor in the audience. Unfortunately, many of the other actors in the production overplayed their roles in such a heavy handed way that they were no longer amusing, and in fact were a bit annoying. At one point in the play the character of Liguria, played by Ellen Cribbs, was screaming at another character at the top of her lungs and it was just too much. In addition, casting was an issue, for example, Mike Newquist’s portrayal of Callimaco was unconvincing, not at all like the rich playboy that Callimaco’s character is described as being.
The director, Lisa Cantwell, states that her vision of the play is a grungy, urban, sexy version of Machiavelli. This aspiration is grand, and the set design and costume design offer nods to urban grunge, however these alone are not enough to carry the theme. The costume design, done by Arin Mulvaney, in particular helped to highlight the director’s vision of grunge through Callimaco’s costume and that of the young widow. However, the theme of urban grunge clashed with the ribald humor, more reminiscent of high school locker room banter than of any true grit or grunge.
This production incorporated original songs written by Brian Torosian in between scenes. The lyrics to the songs were amusing, and the performances by Lina Chambers as the Young Widow, and Matt Beard as Timoteo, were nicely done, however they would certainly have sounded better if the guitar used had been in tune.
I had hoped for an amusing comedic satire, instead I found myself watching the clock, ready for this show to end far before it did. I do not recommend seeing The Mandrake by Commedia Beauregard.
Running Time: Two hours with a fifteen minute intermission
At Raven Theatre, 6157 N. Clark Street
Directed by Lisa Cantwell
Original Songs by Brian Torosian
January 11-February 9, 2014 (Thursdays, Fridays & Saturdays at 8:00pm, Sundays at 3:30pm)
Buy Tickets at www.CBTheatre.org