The Fourth Walsh

Babes with Blades presents the World Premiere of THE MARK from its new works festival, The Fighting Words Festival.

The future is divided. The military oppress. The laborers submit. Raina works for her dad at the district bakery. They fulfill ration orders for the community. When soldiers harass a local woman, defiance bubbles up in Raina. She questions everything… their right to persecute, her father’s passive attitude, and her own conflicted future. Does she join The Selected in power or unite the laborers by resisting? THE MARK showcases class division and authoritarian reign in a dystopian society.

Playwright Jillian Leff debuts a story about government-sanctioned abuse. The people verses tyranny tale is -unfortunately- topical and relatable. Leff creates a world where people must literally fight their way to power. Young people are physically tested for their endurance and capability. If they win the brawl, they join the ruling class. If they get beat up, they are dismissed into servitude.

Leff’s “Hunger Games”-like premise is the perfect vehicle for a Babes with Blades show. A Babes show always brings the fight! This one is no exception. Hazel Monson directs multiple skirmishes between ensemble members. The clashes start out as several combative competitions. A raging Maureen Yasko (Cain) is a fierce standout as she is the one to beat. Her intense confrontations are mesmerizing. And Whit Baxter Bates (Jack) also captivates for their child-like delight in the war games. An impressive Monson orchestrates a climatic bloody feud where abrupt action has the audience gasping.

Director Richard Costes weaves in emotional connections between the robust sparring. In the lead, MJ Handsome (Raina) delivers a multi-layered performance as she struggles to figure out her past, her present and her future. She pushes a reserved Tamarus Harvell (Jonas) to explain his choices. Handsome builds an alliance with Bates to get thru The Selection. Later, she and a stoic Amy J Johnson (Commander) grapple with strategy and idealism. Handsome deftly navigates this reckoning between worlds.

Costes paces this dramatic with frequent blackouts and blaring music. The effect is initially riveting. After awhile, the number of scene transitions to move a few props is overkill. It adds length without depth to the show. Still, THE MARK leaves a battle scar. These Babes are tough. If our reality is moving into a dystopian existence, it’s good to have these badass Babes ready to lead the resistance.           

Running Time: Two hours and ten minutes includes an intermission

At The Edge Theater, 5451 N. Broadway

Written by Jillian Leff

Directed by Richard Costes

Fight Direction by Hazel Monson

Performances are:

Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays at 8 pm

Sundays at 3 pm

Thru November 22

For more information or tickets

Production photos by Joe Mazza/brave lux

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