Show: 11
Category: Physical Theater
By: Hey Rube!
Written by: Marcus Anthony
Location: Theatre in the Round
Summary: A comedic retelling of the life of gentleman-turned-pirate Stede Bonnet.
Highlights: The story is told in flashback by Stede (Joshua English Scrimshaw) and Tristram Shanty (Natalie Rae Wass). Google tells me there is a fictional character named Tristram Shandy, it's unclear if the playwright was inspired by this character, or just the funny name - similar to Elder Cunningham in The Book of Mormon being unable to say Nabulungi, Stede calls Tristram by any number of words that start with T. From some unknown time and place in the future, Stede tells his story (with constant corrections from Tristram). We watch as Stede hires Tristram and his crew to be pirates, and go about doing piratey things, although Tristram insists they're not pirates. But all Stede wants is to be a pirate. He soon meets the real pirate Blackbeard (Madhu Bangalore), and all Blackbeard wants is to be a gentleman. They both get what they want, in a be-careful-what-you-wish-for kind of way. The play is constructed of many short scenes with blackouts in between, which isn't a bad thing, but when the audience decides it needs to applaud at every blackout, it disrupts the momentum and flow of the storytelling. (Note to audiences: you don't have to applaud every time the lights go out, often it's better for the story if you just hold the silence.) Despite these interruptions, there are some great performances, particularly Joshua as Bonnet, performing with his trademark physicality, literally climbing around the theater. The entire six-person cast, dressed in piratey costumes including tall boots and puffy shirts, is committed to the campy comedy tone of the piece, and there are some great fight scenes with imaginary swords. All in all it's a fun fringey romp.