By the Bog of Cats

From: "will stackman" profwlll@yahoo.com

Subject: Quicktake - "By the Bog of Cats" by Marina Carr

Date: Thurs. Oct. 12, 11:23 PM

Quicktake on BY THE BOG OF CATS

     Marina's Carr's country tragedy, "By the Bog of Cats," owes a bit of its inevitability to Euripides, but at least as much to J.M.Synge. The violence in the show marks it as contemporary while its poetic diction plus touches of the supernatural make piece unmistakably Irish. The Devanaughn Theatre, under Rose Carlson's direction, manages to make a complex and ingrown plot come together in the confines of their brick box in the basement of the Piano Factory. More extensive scenic background and less cumbersome changes would help create a stronger air of magic realism, though the full-sized "caravan" stage left is impressive.

    The ensemble cast revolves around Hester Swane, the daughter of the Travelin' People, played by Abbey Theatre veteran Dani Duggan, who's the current producing artistic director of the company. Hester's been thrown over by Carthage Kilbride, a local lad, played by Charles Hess. They have a young daughter, Josie, named for her grandmother, played on alternate nights by Holly Payne-Strange & Sarah Smith. Carthage believes he has bought Hester off and is marrying the daughter of a rich neighbor, Xavier Cassidy, played by Phil Thompson. His new love is Caroline, played by Ellen Adair, The source of this basic tale is of course "Medea". But Hester first appears carrying a dead black swan, an old friend which she buries, but not before being accosted by a mysterious Ghost Fancier, played by Jordan Harrison, and engaging in gossipy exposition with her oldest friend Monica, played by Jean Sheikh. She also gets a visit from the Catwoman, a blind seer, played quite spookily by Liz Robbins. Jordan shows up in act two as a waiter and the ghost of Hester's brother. Fred Robbins also appears briefly in the second act as dotty old Father Willow, the parish priest.

     The cast manages acceptable Irish accents, though Duggan's more accurate Midlands brogue is not always immediately comprehensible amidst the Americanized sound. Nothing important gets lost however. Within scenes the action makes good use of the limited space. The lighting is servicable, though a more elaborate plot would support the varied scenes more fully. The original music by Katie McDonnell adds an appropriate touch. There's a sense of commitment to the play which definitely helps the show.

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"By the Bog of Cats" by Marina Carr, Oct. 12 - 29

Devanaughn, back of the Piano Factory

791 Tremont, (617) 247 - 9777

Devanaughn Theatre