Written by Edward Albee
Directed by Sophie
Benassi
Chaika Theatre
production
ACT HUB Theatre,
Kingston to 21 May
Reviewed by Len Power
11 May 2022
ACT HUB Theatre has made a big splash with their inaugural
Chaika Theatre production of ‘Three Tall Women’, a play by one of America’s
foremost playwrights, Edward Albee.
Most famous for his 1962 play, ‘Who’s Afraid Of Virginia Woolf?’, Albee continued to write plays but none equalled the critical success of that play until he wrote ‘Three Tall Women’ in 1991. After a European premiere, the play opened off-Broadway in New York in 1994, receiving several major awards, including the Pulitzer Prize for Drama. It did not have a Broadway season until 2018.
Focusing on one woman, the play is a powerful look at life and ageing. From the optimism, idealism and confidence of youth, through decisions, compromises, regrets and world-weary cynicism and anger, acceptance and a kind of peace is eventually reached.
Director, Sophie Benassi, has given the play a production that, despite its unusual structure, is dramatically clear and smoothly staged. Her set and costume designs serve the play well and the lighting design by Stephen Still and sound design by Neville Pye add considerable atmosphere and colour.
This is a play that requires acting of a high calibre. The three roles for women present considerable challenges for the actresses with its shifting moments in time and its own strange reality.
As Woman A, Karen Vickery dominates the first act with a strong but controlled performance of a bitter woman at the end of her long life who is struggling with health issues as well as anger at the world and those around her. Woman B, the nurse, played by Lainie Hart and Woman C, a legal clerk, played by Natasha Vickery, give fine performances as well.
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| From left: Karen Vickery, Natasha Vickery, Lainie Hart |
In the second act, as that same woman is presented as three parts of herself, young, middle-aged and older, all three actresses give extraordinary performances of great depth. Natasha Vickery shows all facets of an idealistic and rather naïve young woman with no tolerance for the thought of ageing. Lainie Hart deftly displays the anger and cynicism of a woman disappointed by much of her life so far. Karen Vickery is the older, sophisticated woman displaying all the traits of her younger selves and able to laugh at aspects of her life while covering up elements of bitterness under the surface.
While the play itself is a fascinating and strong statement about ageing and how we live our lives, this production is a must see for the memorable performances of these fine local actresses.
Photo by Jane Duong
Len Power's reviews are also broadcast on Artsound FM 92.7 in the ‘Arts Cafe’ and ‘Arts About’ programs.
