John Webster, a younger contemporary of
William Shakespeare, is considered the last of the great Elizabethan
dramatists.
But, like Shakespeare in his later work, Webster (1580-1625),
with his dark themes of passion, evil and revenge, fits much
more easily into the Jacobean tradition.
"The Duchess of Malfi" is based on the true story of
an Italian duchess who, in 1503, married her chief steward, incensing
her class-conscious brothers. Webster adapted the story to more
clearly reflect the uncertainty, doubt and pessimism of 17th-century
England under the dour King James I.
First produced in 1614 by the same company that performed many
of Shakespeare’s plays, "The Duchess of Malfi" is Webster’s
most popular and most frequently performed play. But this is
probably not the reason the Kings County Shakespeare Company
chose "Duchess" as the culminating event of its 2003
"Enter the Actress" season dedicated to celebrating
milestones for women in classical theater.
In this gruesome play, Webster presents us with an unforgettable
heroine, the Duchess, a strong-willed, feisty woman willing to
take on contemporary conventions and battle her brothers so that
she may lead her life the way she pleases. In those pre-feminist
days, this meant certain disaster, and even death. (In the 1998
film "Shakespeare in Love," John Webster is the little
boy who finds Shakespeare’s plays not bloodthirsty enough.)
KCSC associate artistic director Renee Bucciarelli plays the
title role in this, her last performance with the company. (Bucciarelli
is moving to San Francisco with her family.) And she is superb
– saucy and sensitive, valiant and vulnerable.
Jemma Alix Levy directs the more than capable cast. She makes
the most of a lavish wardrobe (Lea Umberger is costume designer)
and minimal scenery (a table, benches and a banner displaying
the signs of the zodiac) and keeps the action flowing by having
the actors enter and exit via the stage steps and the side aisles.
In Webster’s sinister intrigue, the Duchess faces a host of enemies
– principally her two brothers – the Cardinal (Joe Fordham) and
Ferdinand (Andrew Oswald). Ferdinand is merely hot tempered,
greedy and nasty. But the Cardinal is not only all of the above,
but also conniving, venal and remorseless. Fordham and Oswald
do a brilliant job establishing each his own distinct brand of
iniquity so that in the end we may feel a bit sorry for Oswald,
but we sincerely hope Fordham will burn in hell.
Matt D’Amico gives a multi-layered and thoughtful performance
as Bosola, the brothers’ bribed and coerced lackey who carries
out their dirty work vacillating convincingly between hesitation
and eager participation.
And for whom does the Duchess sacrifice all? Who is the man she
secretly marries and with whom she has three children? Antonio
(Patrick Hallahan), a timid, uninspired youth who looks like
he’d be more comfortable by his mother’s knee than in his wife’s
bed.
It may be that Levy thought she was being faithful to Webster’s
play, or it may be that she believed a powerful and worthy partner
would usurp the role of the Duchess. But whatever her reasoning,
Antonio’s blandness can’t help but make us wonder why a woman
like the Duchess would ever fall in love with him. Surely Hallahan
could make Antonio more formidable with a bit less stammering
and hesitation.
But Hallahan’s misguided performance is only a slight blemish
on the overall superb production.
In supporting roles, Vicki Hirsch is especially notable as Cariola,
the Duchess’ maid and confidante, and Shauna Miles gives a nuanced
yet bawdy performance as Julia, the whore with a heart.
"The Duchess of Malfi" is KCSC’s first off-Broadway
production and the first off-Broadway production ever to be held
at Founders Hall Theater of St. Francis College where the company
is in residence. (Other KCSC Actor’s Equity productions were
under the union’s off-off Broadway designation.) It is entirely
fitting and encouraging that the company should embark on this
new stage in their development with a production of such high
tone and excellent quality.
Kings County Shakespeare Company’s production
of "The Duchess of Malfi" runs through Aug. 31 at Founders
Hall Theater at St. Francis College, 182 Remsen St. between Clinton
and Court streets in Brooklyn Heights.
Performances are Mondays, and Thursdays-Saturdays, at 8 pm. Matinees
at 2 pm on Saturday, Aug. 30 and all three Sundays. Tickets are
$15, $7 seniors and students. Not recommended for children younger
than age 12. For tickets, call (212) 868-4444.
