For this entry into the Seclusion Smörgåsbord series, I will visit the National Theatre of London, Café La Mama and Michael Urie’s living room.
Treasure Island (National Theatre of London)
Bryony Lavery adapted Robert Louis Stevenson’s classic Treasure Island for this handsome production. In this version, Jim Hawkins is a young girl. This coming-of-age story is enhanced with an additional feminist angle and includes other female characters. The storytelling sticks closely to the novel but does veer off notably towards the end. Dramatic flourishes usurped clarity to a small degree.
Designer Lizzie Clachan has created a masterful set which transforms from inn to sailing ship to island in a series of jaw dropping transitions. Below deck on the ship is superbly rendered. Polly Findlay’s direction is appropriate for a children’s tale but, importantly, does not shy away from the darker elements of the story at all. The lighting is extraordinary.
Ms. Ferran is an appealing and clever Jim. You root for her as she figuratively grows up in front of our eyes. Excellent characterizations from Aidan Kelly as Bill Bones and Arthur Darvill as Long John Silver give the tale its required treachery. In the scene stealing role of Ben Gunn, Joshua James was funny, manic and heroic, providing a needed jolt of energy in the second act.
This memorable version of Treasure Island will be available for free streaming until tomorrow, April 23, 2020. The next weekly show will be a version of Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night, the comedy of mistaken identities.
Buyer & Cellar (Michael Urie’s Living Room)
Mr. Urie performed an encore version of Jonathan Tolin’s Buyer & Cellar in this live streamed event. His award winning turn as Alex was recreated as a benefit performance for the Broadway Cares COVID-19 Emergency Assistance Fund. I saw this play in 2013 and using his living room seemed a logical choice given the original set design.
Alex loses his low paying job at Disneyland after an ill-advised confrontation with a child. He gets a call and lands a job as the manager of Barbra Streisand’s basement. The comedy, the abuse and the shade are all in abundance. There is also a deeper undertone which delves into fame, friendship and loneliness. The acting is stellar and not to be missed. (Highest of the high points: the coupon.) The direction, use of space and multi-camera angles kept the excitement and energy at a very high level. File this one under coronavirus classic.
Buyer & Cellar was broadcast live Sunday evening but is still available for viewing – and donations!
Café La Mama Live: Take 3
On Tuesday evenings, La Mama broadcasts weekly live performances that experiment with form. Guest curators invite artists to share their work. This episode had five entries. Not all, I would say, were successful or even understandable. The host noted after one bizarre and way too insider segment, “girl, what the hell was that?”
Three entertainers shined, however. Jazmin Yvonne sang her new single which is about to be released. “Ain’t That Cheap” is about a relationship gone sour. After each performance the host does a brief interview. Ms. Yvonne made me smile when she said, “I put on a sweater today. I feel immensely accomplished.”
Leah Ogawa, a puppetry and movement artist, created a world made out of decorated cardboard. A camera traversed multiple constructed locations on this adventure including a trip to Tokyo Town. In Gray City, she proclaimed that there are “so many people in so many windows working so hard!” This was an inspired example of budget-minded stay-at-home creativity.
Zui Gomez created video art using stop motion animation. Nikolai Mishler composed a score to accompany her dance. The phrase “I Love These Shoes” concluded the fun piece with a great ending. Café La Mama is an opportunity for artists to stretch themselves and experiment with ideas. The “let’s put on a show” vibe will appeal to those who are willing to encourage and support risk taking. Grab a glass of wine and take a peek. You might find something amusing to break up the monotony.
La Mama is offering many different streaming experiences which can be seen on their website including Café La Mama live on Tuesdays at 7:00 pm eastern.