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Impromptu
ReplyDeleteA review by Eldon Crossett
“Impromptu” - An existential drama by Peter Tarsi
Preformed by Thetford Academy Drama
Friday, June 4, 2021
“Impromptu” by Peter Tarsi is an existential drama that plays with a combination of truth, and fantasy (supplied by the role of “Tony”), with the progression of awareness of the real people behind the actor’s theatrical facades. The play toys with the the purpose of entertainment, explored by the attention seeking Ernest. The main message of the play is the roles actors perform, and how they compare to people they are off the stage. This message is projected through the plot of the actors improvising their play, and as they try to find their roles their true character is gleaned through their actions and words.
The atmosphere of the play was wonderfully created. The scene was set with a black backdrop and two black walls with a crooked window on one. The only furniture an old couch and a small desk. The play starts with the stage lights off and the little light from the dimming overcast sky only adds to the darkness as the four actors take the stage. As the play progressed, the sun continued to set, slowly draping the stage in deeper shadow causing the illuminated stage and actors to become more and more pronounced against the dusk-filled field and forest around the timber frame. The play ends with the stage lights flipping off, finally giving the audience a sense of the darkness that has unknowingly enshrouded them.
The plot of “Impromptu” goes like this. Four actors take a darkened stage, waiting for the stage manager who has gathered them together for this play. As they wait, the stage lights turn on but still no one appears to tell them what they are to do. Group discussion illustrates the stage managers instruction that they are not to leave the stage until they have “acted out the play.” As the actors become aware that an audience is present, the actors begin to improvise. Without a script to follow the four actors are characters in search of parts to play. Each of the actors also have distinct personalities, which show in the roles that they take on. Ernest, the confident and arrogant famous actor assumes command of the improvised play. He pushed ahead, determined to produce a play for the entertainment of the audience. Winifred, who wants to break her streak of playing lesser characters, all laking the certain quality that Lora, the “sticky”, pretty, perfect female role possess. And Tony, the young lead with little stage experience, a fear of acting, and whimsical monologues.
All four actors showed great skill in playing their unique roles, adding to the performance with conviction in their lines and actions. They worked with unity towards the common goal of not overplaying or underperforming their respective characters. The play possessed a great believability because of the inflection in the actors tones, changes of volume, and expressive body language. An outstanding performance was given by Fritz Junker-Boyce, playing the outspoken and experienced Ernest. He showed great skill with his maintaining of a slightly rude and self centered attitude, really selling his character.
The play was intriguing as the plot broke the fourth wall almost immediately, but remained enjoyable with a feeling of the performance being light with only four actors, one scene, and some lighthearted comedy. The atmosphere was superb, with the necessary outdoor setting actually playing into making the final lines after the lights flicked off that much more impactful. Overall the production was successful in its goal to provide entertainment for the audience, and also to make me ponder the purpose of plays, and their role in entertainment, and media.
“Tracks” A drama play in one act by Peter Tarsi
ReplyDeletePerformed by Thetford Academy Drama (Friday, June 4, 2021 at 7:30 p.m.)
Review by Jada Rich
This witty, fast-paced, riveting, one act play is a comedical drama that was well executed by the experienced actors. A quick snapshot of this play: “A group of strangers arrive at a subway station with limited personal belongings, and their watches have stopped. Each character enters worried about their individual predicament, but as more people arrive, they come to realize that they all share an unthinkable secret.” This captivating play is full of jokes and surprises that leave you thinking when it ends.
The scenery was pretty much as detailed as it could be for a small outdoor timber frame shelter. The outfits suited each character perfectly, and seemed to be well thought through. The backdrop of the dark train station walls with the colorful graffiti was perfect for this setting. The lighting was surprisingly good, considering this play took place outside, and before the sun set. The spotlights were properly adjusted and illuminated the actors' expressions pretty well from my spot in the audience. The sound effects were certainly loud enough to hear, and a good addition to pull the play together. The actors were speaking at a volume that anyone in the audience could hear- I’m not even sure whether they were wearing mics or not. All the outfits, from the classic nun outfit, to the lawyer suit, to the lighthearted professor’s suit and scarf, to the highschool couple were perfectly selected, and thoughtful.
The seemingly random group of people waiting at the station appear to have no connection, and nobody knows where they are headed. It becomes a mystery that they become obsessed with cracking. The characters figure out that they are either headed to heaven, or hell, and they panickingly relive all of their crimes. Most of them seem to be generally good people on the surface, but the group slowly confesses their sins, and everyone begins to freak out not knowing whether their good deeds on earth were enough to get them to heaven. After a while, one of the characters points out that if they are going to board a train, and they are at a train station going one way, that there must be one headed in the opposite direction. They develop an idea that one must go to heaven, and the highschool girl heads over to the other platform to watch the others in an attempt to figure out which train is headed where. She is just barely gone before they notice another girl taking notes on them, and after intense questioning, they discover that the people on the other platform have no idea where they are going either. A feeling of hopelessness washes over them as the spy from the other platform tells her group’s rights and wrongs. Nobody knows where they are going, and after some squabbling trying to make a decision over what platform to choose, they hear a train whistle as it approaches in the distance. The play ends with a plot twist, hinting that this station might just have been their hell all along.
(Part 1)
(part 2)
ReplyDeleteThe actors seemed born for their roles, and were each very well equipped to perform their own part. They were matched up with their roles extremely well, and their excellent performance proves that they were given their roles strategically. The characters worked very well together and created a pacing that was captivating. This play was a team performance, and everyone knew their role. Their voices and tone matched their characters, whether the stubborn confidence of the lawyer, or the sarcastic, inquiring manner of the professor. Each character's attitude matched their lines perfectly, and their movements and hand motions fit each line excellently. The actors' performance was just the perfect balance between overplaying and underplaying. This balance captivated the audience, and had them eagerly watching the quick commentary back and forth.
The part that I found most interesting was how well the actors executed their roles. Their performance proved the thought that went behind each match up with a character, and they were able to know their role well enough to execute the mannerisms of their characters incredibly well. I didn't catch them messing up at any time, and this is impressive in itself, but especially considering the moments of the play that were more hotheaded and rapid fire talking. Overall, the roles seemed to be very thoughtfully selected, the actors seemed to know their characters so well that they were able to confidently display their attitude, and the scenery was very creatively selected.