The Man Who

From: "will stackman" profwlll@yahoo.com

Subject: Quicktake - "The Man Who" by Oliver Sacks, Peter Brook & Marie-Helene Estienne

Date: Thur, April 20, 10:33 PM

Quicktake on THE MAN WHO

     Those familiar with Oliver Sacks' anecdotal study of neurological anomalies, "The Man Who Mistook His Wife For A Hat" will find some of the more striking references from that work embedded in this collage of interactions between doctors and patients. Those familiar with the recent work of Peter Brook will recognize the transformations the four actors undergo in this short effort. In the course of 75 minutes, each plays doctors confronting men suffering from some abberation of perception. These unique symptoms suggest the malleability of reality, at least for the individual. There are of course no conclusions or judgements, and no patients with secondary clinical diagnoses.

     The cast, directed by Wesley Savick consists of IRNE winner Steven Barkhimer, Robert Bonotto, Owen Doyle, and Jim Spencer. Barkhimer was last seen for the Nora in Van Gogh in Japan, as was Robert Bonotto. Both were seen this fall at the Lyric in Steve Martin's version of "The Underpants." Owen Doyle appeared recently in "A Prayer for Owen Meany" at Stoneham. Jim Spencer was in Nora's "Antigone: last season and was nominated for an IRNE for his role in ACT's "City Preacher" by Ed Bullins. Director Savick recently directed "Theatre District" for Speakeasy, and Zayd Dorhn's IRNE winning "Permanent Whole Life'" at Boston Playwrights'. The show has the polish one would expect from such an ensemble.

     In a piece of nonlinear theatre like this, the arc of the action comes from connections made between its disperate elements. As the ensemble moves from the calming attitude of the neurologists to the varying degrees of agitation shown by their patients, the depth of the failure of perception becomes painfully clear. And the common dilemma shared by both classes is heightened as doctor becomes patient and vice versa. There are a few bravura moments, carried off by Barkhimer and Doyle, while Bonotto and Spencer have quieter epiphanies. The simple truth of the show however, is that there is no cure for these problems, a very sobering thought. Like the rest of life, they can only be dealt with.

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"The Man Who", Apr.20 - May 7

Nora Theatre Co. at Boston Playwrights'

949 Comm. Ave. Allston, 1 (866) 811 - 4111
Nora Theatre Co.