TAKING LEAVE
by Nagel Jackson
Directed by Bettsy Gauerke - Produced by James Gauerke
March 2, 3, 9, 10, 16, & 17, 2007
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TAKING LEAVE |
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by Nagel Jackson |
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Directed by Bettsy Gauerke - Produced by James Gauerke |
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March 2, 3, 9, 10, 16, & 17, 2007 |
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At the center of "Taking Leave" is the Pryne family, namely Eliot Pryne, his three daughters and his long-suffering care giver / house keeper, Mrs. Fleming (Kathy Reid). Eliot (Denny Blanford) is a renowned Shakespearean scholar (ironically specializing in King Lear) who is slowly losing his grip on reality. The visitation by the daughters forms the central event of this oddly comic, yet fully sympathetic play. Alma (Sheila Mayse), the eldest, refuses to accept the truth of Eliot's condition; Liz (Elicia Brooks), the diva-esque TV actress who thinks her father would best be in a nursing home; and the youngest, Cody (short for Cordelia, a not-so-subtle Lear parallel), her father's favorite (Angela Stewart). The play's most interesting thematic element is the presence of Eliot 1 (Craig Gifford), a younger version of Eloit who is invisible to the daughters and care giver. His presence serves two purposes... as a narrator for the audience and a guide for Eliot, helping him when he gets confused or loses his words... almost acting as a sort of sage / fool to Eliot's Lear-like disintegration. It is the black sheep (in black leather, no less), Cordelia, who takes responsibility and leads the audience through tears and laughter to the realization thats Eliot's leave taking will be a gentle one. Audiences should not be put off by the subject of Alzheimer's. As with plays such as "On Golden Pond" and "Steel Magnolias", there is humor as in real life... thank goodness! |
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