February, 26th 2011
By: toto_too514
Edited by: Marcy

This “In the Raw” production follows the character of Queen Margaret through several of Shakespeare’s plays, here specifically Henry VI and Richard III. This production was more than a Reading as most actors were completely off script. (Although Kate Forbes who played Margaret said they really just rehearsed that day.) But there were no costumes, the actors appeared in street clothes, Randy wearing tight-legged blue jeans and charcoal gray sweater w/ a hood that had a beige lining, black adidas high tops w/ some red, green and white stripes and neon lime green socks!

There were a few rudimentary props including some Shakespeare books, many cheap plastic chairs which got flung around a lot, a folding table and some cups and a pitcher of water. The whole thing was set on the recycled stage from the Red Bull’s full production of The Witch of Edmonton - which I saw and thoroughly enjoyed. It was essentially a rectangular wooden deck with two gazebo-like structures on the right side corners and a large gazebo bridge on the left hand side. The center of the stage was covered in a dark brown mulch; the left side stood the table with some props while the rear of the stage had a wooden railing that separated the stage from seating for Witch. Here, the actors used that part of the stage…. This set-up meant that the actors were never off stage. Even when they weren’t participating in the action they were watching from one part of the stage, always in character.

Randy played four small roles; The Duke of York’s young son, Rutland; Lord Somerset, loyal subject to King Henry; and Prince Edward, son of King Henry and Queen Margaret. He also had one scene as a common man. What was really great was that since this was an open stage… you essentially got to watch the actors arm up before the performance. We got to peek behind the curtain, so to speak. It was interesting to see how the different actors prepared. Some seemed completely relaxed and chatted like you would at a party. Some were off by themselves just contemplating the world I guess, the actress who played Margaret looked like she was doing meditation.

Randy was a bit antsy… he wandered the stage a bit. You could see him practicing his lines, repeating them to himself, acting them out with silent emphasis and muted gestures. He also sat and stretched a bit… first one leg, then the other. He untied and re-tied his shoelaces. (That’s how I know he had on neon lime green socks!) Then a roll of the neck and shoulders… almost like an athlete getting ready for a sport.

The show itself was very well done… but complicated even by Shakespeare’s standards! Essentially weak King Henry is ripe for the picking. The Duke of York had his sights set on the throne. At one point he picks up various Shakespeare Texts from the table to show how he really is related to the throne and is the rightful heir. It’s actually pretty funny. Meanwhile Queen Margaret, while married to Henry is in love with Lord Suffolk. So basically everybody picks sides, lots of battles, lots of dying. The actors actually wear colored duct tape across their chests to show their allegiance – red for Henry, white for York.

Randy opens the play as Rutland, the young and somewhat effeminate son of York, who is immediately threatened by the King’s men and is promptly killed. He then spends most of Act I as Lord Somerset, servant to the King. He delivers his few speaking parts w/ his usual gusto, and plays well off of York… who is played by a very tall and very thin actor. His best scene comes in Act II however, when he plays a sort of “flashback” scene as Rutland. He is carried by the other actors to the dungeon – the table – where he pleads for his life to be spared. He begs to be allowed to live, even if he has to live his life forever in the cell... But Clifford, a servant of the King, slashes his throat as he begs. It was quite powerful… his best scene.

Also in Act II he plays Prince Edward, who is not too thrilled that his father has agreed to hand over his Kingdom to York at his death. He and his mother the Queen leave to gather troops to regain the Kingdom. This is where the red and white tape is helpful following who is fighting for whom. Edward is captured and brought before York who demands his allegiance. Edward refuses and as he is addressing York’s son, Richard who is crippled, delivers one of the pays best lines…I’m paraphrasing here: “I will not bow down before this misshapen dick.” Richard doesn’t take too kindly to that and so of course he stabs Edward to death. Margaret then has a very emotional scene as she cradles Edward as she mourns.

There was also a very short scene where two common people encounter King Henry on the road where he has been banished. They are hiding among the debris – the chairs that are flung around the stage. To indicate that he was no longer playing Edward or Somerset he took the red tape and applied it to the inside of his shirt and put his hood on. When the scene was done, he reapplied the red tape to once again pay Somerset.

More fighting ensues as Margaret seeks to regain the Kingdom and avenge Edward’s death, and Randy gets to die for a third time in one night. Although this was the least dramatic death… he just removed the red tape and stood to the side with the other dead actors. In the end just Margaret and two of York’s sons - Richard and Edward IV are left standing.

The whole thing was extremely well done… so much so that the audience continued their applause until the actors came out to take a second bow.

Unfortunately, I was unable to catch Randy before he left so I didn’t get to ask him about this show and the possibility of it becoming something more… or even to congratulate him on the Tommy news. However, thanks to a very sweet and generous friend and a nice discount from Facebook, I will be able to go back to the show tomorrow and attend the Benefit after-party. Hopefully I’ll be able to get a few minutes with Randy then! You guys will be the first to know if I do!



Copyright © 2011 randy-harrison.it | All rights reserved
Written by Trish edited by Marcy