I don’t know if Alfred Edward set his clock ahead by an hour tonight, but surely he must have turned a little in the grave when the Crowded Kitchen Players let go with their loosest yet interpretation tonight of Housman’s “A Shropshire Lad” at Bethlehem’s Ice House venue.This is the third time ‘round (2014 and 2015 previously) that director Ara Barlieb has taken his band of players through what now has to be regarded as their signature piece, and from what I saw on this the opening night, I say the more the merrier!
Perhaps because there was a shorter time than usual afforded them for rehearsal, the cast of ten, led by a noble David Fox as Terence Hearsay, had a devil-may-care attitude which occasionally let me wonder if they were totally in control.
The pace was lively, and the songs were sweet and hearty, but now and again a look shot back and forth between two actors that spoke of bravado and rescue. It was occasionally breathtaking.Personally, I loved the thrill of it all.Barlieb’s adaptation of Houseman’s timeless poetry is set in 1887, in a village pub on a cold winter’s night, and revolves around a collection of local characters as seen through the eyes of Terence Hearsay, the only person who has dared venture outside the town of Shropshire and has now come home to celebrate through the night with his friends.The show is about Terence’s growing awareness of how the hard-working, hard-drinking people cope with the harshness of life. Terence writes poetry on his tablet, becoming more aware of his fellow patrons drinking, dancing and flirting around him, until he is inevitably drawn into their scenes.In the pub, a stalwart Tom Harrison (Bartender) anchors the show from behind the bar, while a vibrant Alexandra Racines (Millie) serves the patrons and graces the set beautifully as the Barmaid. Lauri Beth “LB” Rogers (Rose Harland) and Patti Squire (Annie) provide robust entertainment as two pivotal anchors throughout the show.Brian McDermott neatly handles two roles in his bid as Oscar Wilde at the infamous trial for sodomy and the ghastly farmer who has murdered his brother.Dan Ferry gives a memorable portrayal as Guillam Morgan, a rejected suitor who leaves for war and returns as his haunted spirit; Michael Thew as Gareth is a warm and reliable presence throughout and takes a neat turn as the town bully as well.Pamela McLean Wallace has one of her best parts in that she not only gets to act some of the choice poems but also has a chance to show her lovely singing voice in several turns, often ending before I was ready to stop listening.And Sarah Tomas as Brynn offered a graceful and gracious presence – and certainly added huge gifts as choreographer – and I must compliment her interpretation of “To an Athlete Dying Young”, which was not overplayed. And as mentioned before, the anchor of the piece, David Fox, was a dignified yet entertaining Terence. A fine combination.And I happen to know that the Crowded Kitchen Players did not gain access to the Ice House space until the very day on which they opened the play, and so I can only imagine to what lengths Mr. Barlieb must have coaxed and cajoled his merry band of ten to get that blocking out of them throughout only that one day in order to open at 8 pm in the evening! Well, they looked to me – and I do have a practiced eye – like a group of real pro’s. I especially loved the closing scene – when it didn’t seem as if the ending might really be the ending. If it wasn’t meant to be that way, I hope it stays that way.Up in the air like.