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Writing for Us
A CurtainUp Los Angeles Review
Compleat FemaleStage Beauty
| What we do is what we are. Take that away and what are we? — Villiars
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Tracie Lockwood as Margaret Hughes and Michael Traynor as Ned Kynaston
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Hatcher, who also adapted the 2004 screenplay which starred Billy Crudup and Clare Danes, uses the historical reversal to explore gender roles. Ned Kynaston (Michael Traymor), London's leading lady, declares there's no art for him in playing a man. Even a "Trousers" part where he plays a woman playing a man is enriched by the layer of femininity. Hatcher also takes advantage of this play about actors to present a wonderful acting lesson when Ned teaches Mrs. Hughes (Tracie Lockwood), now cast in his signature role of "Desdemona" how not to imitate him but to act her own truth.
Traynor doesn't make a beautiful woman but he does make a sexy and provocative one. The exaggerated acting gestures of the period give the play a campy air but shouldn't be interpreted as effeminate. They were used by both sexes who had to project emotion without mikes. Traynor is mesmerizingly poignant in Act II when he sinks to the depths of London's performing world scrabbling for a living.
The movie is more romantic than the play, combining the characters of Mrs. Hughes and Ned's dresser Maria (Rochelle Greenwood). It also spends more time bringing out Ned's inner man.
The supporting cast under the lively baton of John Perrin Flynn is excellent. It's headed by Jaxson Duff Gwillim as a suavely cross-dressing and individualistic Charles II; Rachel Avery as a scheming delicious Nell Gwynn; Steve Cell as a languid sexually confused Villiars, Duke of Buckingham; deadly and voluptuous Tracie Lockwood as Margaret Hughes; Andrew Block prickling with sophisticated curiosity as Samuel Pepys; and Rick D. Wasserman as shrewd theatre-owner Thomas Betterton.
Stephanie Kerley Schwartz designed the elaborate period costumes and multii-layered set, astutely shaded by Dan Weingarten's lighting design. Actress/singer Penny Orloff opens the show with exquisite 17th-century madrigals that set the tone for the intuitive taste and high standards of this new group om its debut production.
For a review of the play's Philadelphia premiere go here
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Compleat FEMALE STAGE BEAUTY Playwright: Jeffrey Hatcher Director: John Perrin Flynn Cast: Andrew Block (Samuel Pepys), Michael Traynor (Edward Kynaston), Rick D. Wasserman (Thomas Betterton), Michael McBride (Male Emilia), Steve Dell (George Villiars), Rochelle Greenwood (Maria), Carolyn Palmer (Lady Meresvale), Jennifer Riley (Miss Frayne), Cameron Jappe (Sir Charles Sedley), Rachel Avery (Nell Gwynn), Jaxon Duff Gwillim (King Charles), Tracie Lockwood (Margaret Hughes), Susannah Myrvold (Sir Peter Lelly, Mrs. Barry), Patrick Flanagan (Sir Thomas Killigrew), Penny Orloff (Mistress of the Revels) Scenery and Costume Design: Stephanie Kerley Schwartz Lighting Design: Dan Weingarten Associate Costume Designer: Lauren Tyler Running Time: Two and a half hours, one intermission Running Dates: April 26-June 1, 2008 Where: Rogue Machine in Theatre/Theater, 5041 Pico Blvd, Los Angeles, Reservations: (323) 960-7726. . Reviewed by Laura Hitchcock on April 26. |
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Leonard Maltin's 2008 Movie Guide
Sweeney Todd DVD
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