In 2004, Marcus Kyd came forth with the results of his studies into the
nature of the devil. He had poured through texts as old as the bible and as
new as Edward P. Jones' 2006 selection of stories, All Aunt Hagar's Children
with its The Devil Swims Across the Anacostia River. He seemed to be in
search of an answer to two questions - who or what is the devil and,
conversely, just why do we care? As the Prince of Darkness under the direction of Lise Bruneau,
he makes us care both in the intellectual sense of something it is probably
important to know, and in the personal sense, as he brings a complex and
compelling character to life. The show
features music by Kathy Cashel and "text lifted by Marcus Kyd."
Storyline: Excerpts from classic writings
about Satan from Genesis and the Qur'an through Elizabeth Barrett Browning,
Charles Dickens and Mark Twain are combined to create a portrait of the
subject "in his own words."
Just how good Kyd is as a researcher is
something biblical and philosophy scholars can debate as they pick apart not
just the 39 sources sited in the program but all the items not included. He
may well have examined dozens, hundreds or even thousands of sources which
he doesn't end up using. Indeed, holding the show to just over an hour and a
half implies that he had to pick and chose in order to keep the piece concise.
From a dramatic standpoint, he certainly covers the subject with admirable
breadth and provides variety and pace as well. The show still goes on just a
bit beyond its novelty value, but it remains intriguing for a good 90 of its
100 minutes. (Just why Damn Yankee's devil, Mr. Applegate, is absent
is beyond me, however.)
As a performer, Kyd is very impressive. He
switches personalities, accents, attitudes, postures and personas in a
blink, creating different aspects of the "Prince of Darkness" from the
clever to the sinister, the passionate advocate to the impersonal contract
enforcer and from the spreader of evil to the frustrated/disappointed
would-be worshiper of God. He uses humor judiciously and charm abundantly
and holds your attention with ease.
Rarely is a solo show really a solo effort.
Here three people deserve specific kudos in addition to Kyd. Director Lise
Bruneau provides physical structure for Kyd's strutting by blocking the
action in workable segments of the stage. (She may also have told Kyd when
enough is enough - something that is indispensable to solo performance
pieces written by the performer.) Kathy Cashel participates in the
presentation with music and sound effects performed live in cooperation with
Kyd. They work well as a team. Kathleen Chadwick's lighting design support
that collaboration as well.
Written and performed by Marcus Kyd. Directed
by Lise Bruneau. Music, sound and the voice of "The Strange Spirit" by Kathy
Cashel. Additional music by Michelle Rush. Design: Kathleen Chadwick
(set and lights) Scott L. Hammar (costume coordinator) Jennifer Sheets
(properties) Lise Bruneau (photography) David Polk (stage manager). Cast:
Marcus Kyd. |
