On Stage

STAGE *& JUDITH HSHER Queen's University The new year unfortunately looks a little bleak for productions of the Victorian period across Canada and in New York and London; I have ventured further afield, therefore, to include some productions in states other than New York. The larger cast costume pieces are becoming harder for non-commercial theatres to finance in the current fiscal climate, which sees funding for the arts cut more and more drastically. So the plays that do manage to find their way into production tend to be the more well-known ones — lots of Chekov, Ibsen and Shaw. Adaptations of Victorian fiction are also popular, each century seems to entertain an interest in the Gothic and supernatural in its last decade. Just for fun I have included a section on where you can find various stage adaptations in North America, with my apologies to the purists. VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA: The Cherry Orchard by Anton Chekov Vancouver Playhouse· 18 February - 18 March, 1995 · Michael Frayn's translation, directed by Shaw Festival's Artistic Director Christopher Newton. EDMONTON, ALBERTA: The Cherry Orchard by Anton Chekov Citadel Theatre: Shoctor Stage· 26 February - 19 March, 1995 · A new translation by John Murrell. REGINA, SASKATCHEWAN: Misalliance by George Bernard Shaw Globe Theatre· 22 February - 5 March, 1995 · Directed by the Globe's Artistic Director, Susan Ferley. LONDON, ENGLAND: The Seagull by Anton Chekov National Theatre: Olivier (in repertory) Judi Dench is stunning as Arkadina in Pam Gems' new version. I saw a preview of the production and was not impressed, however, by the rest of the cast whom I had difficulty hearing, with the exception of Norman Rodway as Sorin and Rachel Power as Masha. I hope that they have since been told to 204Victorian Review speak up because I was certainly not the only one to complain that evening. John Gunter's set design of picture frames holding background pieces of furniture that diminished in size as each act moved towards the final catastrophe was clever, but not as "picturesque" or interesting to look at as the well-painted realistic backdrop of the lake. Devil's Disciple by George Bernard Shaw National Theatre: Olivier (in repertory) Paul Taylor, in his review in The Independent, calls Christopher Morahan's production merely a "mild diversion" partly because of the "staled subversiveness" of Shaw's play (September 10, 1994). Other, more personal and reliable sources tell me that it is wonderful to look at as huge set pieces slide silently on stage and unfold revealing the players. There are also fine performances by Richard Bonneville as Dick Dudgeon and Daniel Massey as Burgoyne. Lady Windermere's Fan by Oscar Wilde Albery Theatre· opened summer 1994 · This production, lavishly costumed, stars Francesca Annis who, according to Jeremy Kingston of The Times offers "fine acting" in what he otherwise calls "a frail evening" (August 26, 1994). Again my other sources tell me it is a production well worth seeing. Saint Joan by George Bernard Shaw Strand Theatre· opened summer 1994 · Imogen Stubbs plays Shaw's Maid in Gale Edward's production. ON AND OFF BROADWAY, NEW YORK: The Cherry Orchard by Anton Chekov Jean Cocteau Repertory (in repertory) · 26 November, 1994 - 3 March, 1995 · A Doll's House by Henrik Ibsen The Acting Company (touring U.S.)· 1 January - 30 May, 1995 · UNITED STATES: Hedda Gabler by Ibsen Old Globe Theatre, San Diego· 3 May - 18 June, 1995 · Arena Stage, District of Columbia· 27 January - 19 March, 1995 · Uncle Vanya by Ibsen Yale Repertory Theatre, New Haven· 30 March - 15 April, 1995 · On Stage205 Arms and the Man by George Bernard Shaw Asolo Theatre Company, Sarasota, Florida · 15 February - 12 March, 1995 · Hartford Stage Company, Colorado· 6 May - 1 1 June, 1995 · Man and Superman by George Bernard Shaw Repertory Theatre of Louisville, Missouri · 8 February - 10 March, 1995 · Mrs. Warren's Profession by George Bernard Shaw Portland Stage Company, Maine· 23 April - 20 May, 1995 · Saint Joan by George Bernard Shaw Alabama Shakespeare Festival (in repertory) «11 March - 30 July, 1995 · An Ideal Husband by Oscar Wilde Berkeley Repertory Theatre, California· 26 May - 16 July, 1995 · The Visit by Friedrich Durrenmatt· 1 February - 26 February, 1995...