Sunday, July 02, 2006

Harlequin Refined by Love

From: "will stackman" profwlll@yahoo.com

Subject: Quicktake - "Harlequin Refined By Love" by Pierre Marivaux

Date: Sat, July 1, 11:26 PM

Quicktake on HARLEQUIN REFINED BY LOVE

     Anyone who's been put off from Pierre Marivaix by the ART's last two autuerial interpretations should get out to Topsfield to catch Iron-Rail's lighthearted adaptation of the first show this rival of Moliere created for the Theatre Italien back in 1720. Matthew Woods has used his young ensemble to present the work as a courtly comedy based on the Commedia with no obvious subtext. The company ran the show two weekends at LynnArts, a new art center in downtown Lynn right across from the commuter rail stop, and will do it again next weekend at the Gould Barn of the Parson Capen House just off the Common in Topsfield

     Arlechino (Harlequin) was played by the leader of the Italian troupe that Marivaux worked for. Dan Balkin takes the part here and finds the right blend of the old slapstick comedy with the poise the king and court required. But before he "wakes" up, Jill Rogati sets the tone of the play as the Fairy Queen's major domo, Trivelin. Her physical control is fully "Dell'Arte." Erin Cole as the Monarch has an effective air of glamour, with an imp, Papillon (Maggie Talbot-Minkin) to drive the action assisted by Ramses King as her sidekick. Besides this adult fairy-tale element, Marivaux has added three pedants, Angelo Bosco as the Philosoph, Jonathan Overby as the Dancing Master, and Ashley Santor as the Music Mistress. Their task is to refine Harlequin as a suitable consort for Her Majesty. It's not hard to guess how that turns out. Rather it's a duo from the pastoral romances that does the trick. Meaghan Dutton is the charming Sylvia who throws aside Damon Jespersen's doltish Dimas for Harlequin, which of course arouses regal ire.

     In other words, there's actually a plot, which develops quite interestingly, even though Merlin, the Queen's fiance never shows up. (It was a small company.). The Neal Rantol Vault Theatre at LynnArts is a black box studio with minimal lighting, which is sufficient for a show written to be lit by chandeliers. Meaghan Dutton did add a few effects and the director supplied (and D.J.'d) a period score. The show is further distinguished by Cotton Talbot-Minkin's interpretation of traditional costumes, which have the right element of whimsy. Only Harlequin is masked; the rest are "made up." The company is working on a show for later in the summer "Good Witch / Bad Witch", which will run Aug. 3 - 12 in Lynn, and 17-19 again in Topsfield. The environment and puppets will be created by Cathy McLaurin. They'll also be participating in a Summer Fringe Festival which Whistler In The Dark is organizing for Sat, Aug. 26th at the Camb. YMCA which will also include Alarm Clock, Dangerous Animal, Mill6, and others. Save the date.



"Harlequin Refined By Love" by Pierre Marivaux, Jun22 - July 1 (Lynn) July6 - 8 (Topsfield)

Iron-Rail Stage Co. at LynnArts

25 Exchange St. Lynn, (978 - 500 - 5553)
Iron-Rail at LynnArts

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