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Aug. 18, 2006
Thought-provoking, timely
Latest Bard production illuminates folly of an unwinnable war.
STEPHANIE RAMSAY
Bard on the Beach's production of Troilus and Cressida could
not have come at a more opportune time. Although it's one of Shakespeare's
lesser-known works, the play's central message, about the senselessness
of war, proves that it is one of the Bard's most timeless and insightful
plays.
Troilus and Cressida tells the story of the Grecian siege
of Troy, from a "behind the scenes" perspective, choosing
as its focus the relationship between two Trojan lovers: the valiant
and handsome Troilus, played by Jewish actor Chad Hershler, and
the naïve and charming Cressida (Jennifer Lines).
When the play opens, several years into the conflict, the war is
at a stalemate and Troilus, the youngest son of King Priam (Allan
Gray), is busy trying to woo the beautiful Cressida. Troilus enlists
the help of Cressida's voyeuristic uncle, Pandarus (also played
by Gray), who arranges a tryst between the two.
When they meet, Troilus immediately wins Cressida's heart (and body)
and the pair exchange vows of eternal love and fidelity to one another.
However, unbeknownst to them, Cressida's father, Calchus, a traitor
who has been serving with the Greek army, has just arranged for
the exchange of a Trojan prisoner-of-war for Cressida.
Meanwhile, enthusiasm for the war is waning on both sides, and even
the great warrior Achilles (Gerry Mackay) is refusing to fight.
Instead, he has withdrawn to his tent with his young companion,
Patroclus (Torrance Coombs), much to the dismay of General Agamemnon
(David Marr).
In a plot to entice Achilles back to the field, Agamemnon proclaims
fellow warrior Ajax (Martin Sims) the new Grecian hero. However,
this scheme backfires when Trojan prince Hector (Derek Metz) challenges
the Greeks to choose their best soldier to meet him in combat.
Although the challenge is meant for Achilles, the Greeks decide
to send the "dull, brainless Ajax," to battle, hoping
that Achilles's love of the spotlight will spur him to action, which
it doesn't – it's only the death of his companion that finally
rouses Achilles, with horrific consequences.
The battle between Hector and Ajax ends in a draw, but the war is
far from over. And there are broken hearts, as well. When Cressida
arrives at the Greek camp, her vows to Troilus are quickly forgotten
– she revels in the attention bestowed upon her by the Greek
soldiers and is successfully wooed by one of them. While Troilus
laments Cressida's betrayal, Pandarus warns the audience that the
unhappiness caused by the war will be passed onto future generations.
Troilus and Cressida is a mix of bawdy comedy and tragic
insight as it explores the effects of war on the human psyche. Director
David Mackay re-envisions the story in the context of the American
civil war. One of the benefits of this is that the costumes clearly
differentiate between the Trojans (the South) and the Greeks (the
North) and this is helpful, as many of the actors play numerous
roles. However, not all of the performers managed to perfect a southern
accent and this is distracting at times. The change in setting also
raises the question of why Mackay didn't change the names of the
warring factions as well.
As with most Bard on the Beach productions, many of the performances
in Troilus and Cressida are stellar. In particular, Coombs
succeeds in playing two startlingly different characters; one the
effeminate lover of Achilles, the other the hyper-masculine Trojan
Paris (whose theft of Menelaus's wife Helen started the war). Tom
Picket shines as Thersites, who not only provides comic relief by
egging on the brutish Ajax, but also has several moments of visionary
wisdom. And Hershler holds his own in the title role, oscillating
between a besotted young soldier and a scorned lover.
Troilus and Cressida is full of insightful and quick-witted
dialogue. Although often considered to be one of Shakespeare's "problem"
plays – it's a comedy where no one marries and a tragedy where
few characters die – there is little to criticize in Bard on
the Beach's spirited production.
Those looking for an entertaining and thought-provoking night out
need look no further than Vanier Park.
Stephanie Ramsay is a summer intern at the Independent.
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