Perhaps there’s something about sipping a glass of wine by the fireside in mid-winter that makes The Bear – a Brian Friel re-write of Chekhov’s vaudeville piece – a unique theatrical experience.
Or, it could be the humorous and polished performances by the cast. Whatever it is, The Bear is a festival must-see.
Directed by Ingrid Wylde, who is also director in residence for The Studio, the play is a reminder of the theatre of the old days. “New theatre is valuable, but it is also important to revisit where theatre comes from,” says Ingrid.
Lucy Wylde of UBOM! Heartbeat Theatre, Eastern Cape Drama Company, delivers a convincing performance of Elena, a widow who vows to mourn her late husband for eternity.
“She is an interesting character and a control freak, I can relate to that,” smiles Lucy. “She constructs her life around habit,” adds Ingrid.
Elena’s determination to remain faithful for all time is self-destructive and is inevitably shattered with the appearance of ex-soldier/farmer Gregory Smirnov, played by Jacques Blignaut of Egoli fame. “It was challenging at first because I didn’t think I could play such a rough character, he’s completely opposite to me,” explains Blignaut.
Greg Parvess expertly plays the ageing and dedicated butler. “His one wish is for his madam to go outside,” Parvess explains how the butler’s performance contributes significantly to the play’s humorous appeal – a humour that stems from the “very real” characters.
Examining the human condition is a particular feature of Anton Chekhov, who is considered by many to be one of the greatest Russian storytellers and dramatists of modern times.
“Chekhov defies definition,” says Ingrid. “He presents life as it is, as opposed to attempting to make it into something that it is not.”
Crossways, the venue for the play, is one of the oldest and grandest houses (dated 1843) in Grahamstown, complementing the play’s realistic feel. Ingrid explains her choice of this extraordinary venue as stemming from her desire to provide a different and authentic experience, ultimately allowing the audience to “be behind the eyes of the camera”.
“It’s site-specific theatre and Grahamstown has a number of interesting venues where one is able to use the space for what it is,” she says. – ECN-Cue