For all of us living in the enlightened
21st century, there’s nothing more delightful than making fun
of our uptight, repressed Victorian cousins. At first, Caryl
Churchill’s "Cloud Nine," directed by Tom Herman at
the Gallery Players, seems to fit nicely into this pattern.
The first act takes place in colonial Africa where Clive (Mark
Battle), a colonial administrator, struggles with the natives;
his wife, Betty (Tim Demsky), who hankers after the famed explorer
Harry Bagley (Eric Hanson), a closeted pederast who has abused
Clive’s young son, Edward (Holly Golden); and his own desire
for the comely and high-spirited widow, Mrs. Saunders (Stephanie
Weyman).
Complicating the situation, the household also incorporates Clive’s
mother-in-law, the outspoken Maud (Brooke Delaney); a surly native
servant named Joshua (Patrick Toon); and Edward’s governess,
Ellen (Stephanie Weyman), a lesbian who falls in love with Clive’s
wife. Driving home the play’s take on gender, racism and child-rearing,
the black servant is played by a white man, the wife is played
by one of the tallest, broadest male actors, and Edward’s sister
is played by a doll.
Act II, however, shifts the scene from a British colony in Africa
in 1880 to London in 1979. But for the characters, it is only
25 years later.
Betty is now a grandmother (played by Delaney, who in the first
act was her mother). Edward is a young, gay man (played by Toon,
the surly servant of Act I). Victoria (the former doll, now played
by Weyman, the former governess and widow) is a mother and wife
struggling with changing gender roles and her own needs.
In addition, Edward has a lover, the promiscuous Gerry (played
by Demsky, Clive’s wife in Act I), and Victoria has both a husband,
Martin (Hanson, previously the explorer) and a lesbian lover,
Lin (Golden, who was Edward in Act I). To top it all, Battle
(Clive in Act I) is now Cathy, Lin’s hilariously pigtailed, 4-year-old
daughter.
The challenge for the audience watching this fascinating and
very funny play is to figure out exactly where the author stands.
There’s nothing particularly new or interesting about taking
potshots at the hypocrisy of the Victorians. But does Churchill
believe the personal freedoms of the 20th century are long-awaited
improvements or excesses that are more reactions to – than a
cure for – that hypocrisy? It’s hard to tell.
What one can be sure of, however, is the excellent direction
and superb acting the Gallery Players bring to this production.
And the fact that the actors play two (in one case three) distinct
characters is all the more a wonder.
Of particular note are Battle, who transforms himself effortlessly
from the ridiculous, self-satisfied Clive in his beige colonial
casuals to the petulant Cathy in her tight-fitting pinafore;
Delaney, who gracefully loses 25 years to become both her own
daughter and twice as sympathetic in the process; and Weyman,
who plays the governess, the widow and the young mother with
equal verve and passion.
Also noteworthy are the designers responsible for creating the
ever-present mood and atmosphere that work so well in this production
– Mark T. Simpson who re-created 19th-century Africa with drapes
and wicker furniture; costume designer Jenna Rossi-Camus, who
is at home both north and south of the equator, G. Benjamin who
takes the audience from the intensity of the tropics to the cool
light of London, and Jeremy Wilson, who keeps the birds chirping
to remind everyone of exactly where they are.
Herman, who directed last season’s "Lobby Hero," has
once again shown he’s a great asset to the Gallery Players for
many reasons, not the least of which is his ability to hold judgment
in check while giving free rein to irony.
For all those troubled by uncertain times, "Cloud Nine"
is both a wonderful reminder that we live here on Earth and a
comforting assurance that no matter what happens, life will probably
go on.
The Gallery Players’ production of "Cloud
Nine" plays through Sept. 26, Thursday through Saturday
at 8 pm, and Sunday at 3 pm. Tickets are $15, $12 seniors and
children under 12. The Galley Players are located at 199 14th
St., between Fourth and Fifth avenues in Park Slope. For more
information, call (718) 595-0547.
