Theatre Review: Afterplay

We would like to welcome Tara M. Hall to our crew. This is her first post. Tara will be focusing on Austin’s theatre scene. If you have a production you would like to see covered, contact us.

Dusk peered in from the doorway as I stood in line at will call only moments before curtain call. The adorned woman repeated my name, smiled a glossy painted smile and handed me my tickets, instructing me to enjoy the show.

I glanced around, taking in the other patrons whose silver hair, mink stoles, and suspenders did not quite match my tights and motorcycle boots. My friend’s leggings, black mini, and clicking heels called attention as we fumbled around trying to find our seats while being eyed by the apparent “Who’s Who” of Austin.

We didn’t need to speak. As we both felt the stares, I pushed my black frames further up on my nose and giggled. We made ourselves comfortable, glancing around, when my friend peered at me, then the program, then me again.

“Tara, I thought we were watching Afterplay,” my friend said. “But this says An Ideal Husband.”

I panicked. Were we in the right place? Were we in someone’s seats?

We were quick to realize that the play I had actually purchased tickets for was starting in moments, next door at another theatre. (For those of you who are silently judging me, the will call box office is the same for both.)

We whispered about what we should do, and decided that as theatre fans; we would simply stay in our seats as it was obvious that the woman on the phone had sold me the incorrect tickets. That was until the house manager walked up to us, asking my name, drawing more attention the spectacle that was us, and asked us to come with her. The other “Hall” was here, and we were in their seats.

We explained that these were the tickets given to us at will call, yet my attempts at humor drew emotionless stares as we were ushered into the next theatre.

An adorable man in his early twenties, the only one besides us who was under the age of 50, greeted us with an animated grin. The geriatric smiles were more welcoming amongst this group, and I knew that the afternoon was about to get better.

The theatre was black box in nature, with approximately 30 seats which provided a very intimate setting. When the actors emerged on stage, I felt as though I could breathe them in, and the story began to unfold.

Afterplay is the hauntingly beautiful work of renowned Irish playwright Brian Friel in which he extends and blends the lives of two famous Anton Chekov characters, Sonya Serebriakoya from Uncle Vanya and Andrey Prozorov from The Three Sisters.

They meet in a Moscow café, and amongst remarkable, poetic, true to life dialog, their intensity is woven like a tapestry. The audience views their exchanges like voyeurs, soaking up the connection as it ripens. Friel captures the essence of the vile aspects of the human condition; combining misery, lonlieness, rejection, deception, love, lust, and longing in a way we can all appreciate.

Babs Rogers (Sonya) hypnotized the audience with her eyes. They lured us in, as she with all graces, embodied Sonya in pure rarity; the sad Chekov creation who still longed for Astrov, the alcoholic doctor from Uncle Vanya and love of her life who only returns her affection while intoxicated.

Don Toner (Andrey) bumbled about, convincingly lost and delusional, obviously smitten by Sonya and saddened by life. The mention of Bobik, the imprisoned son he travels miles to visit, inspires us to recall his trials from The Three Sisters, or for the novice, to empathize and relate.

The cast was a phenomenal duo, and the direction intense. The play takes place in one room, the cast a mere two individuals, and yet the audience remained captivated. Though the play at first glance, may be more enjoyed and appreciated by Chekov fans, newcomers alike can appreciate the simplicity of true theatre, and superb acting. Sonya stole my heart via her eyes, alcoholism, and neurotic tendencies, and I will remember her each time I read a Chekov play and reminiscence about Friel’s brilliant extension of her life.

Afterplay, despite the tumultuous beginning, was a delight, a window into the souls of those waiting for life to happen. This reviewer suggests you indulge, and take the opportunity to experience this interpretation of such a thought provoking play, as you will not be disappointed.

Review by Tara M. Hall.

Afterplay by Brian Friel, Directed by Babs Rogers
February 14-March 11, 2007
Austin Playhouse-Larry L. King Theatre
Phone: 512-476-0084
Tickets: $20.00, Students $10.00