Spectrum Theatre is making waves in the University's theatrical community. This fall, Spectrum has chosen to produce a minimalist, modest play titled “Closer” by Patrick Marber.
Described by its director as a show about “portraying sex in our modern world,” Spectrum’s production quietly seethes and churns with intense raw performances and a graphic, sexually explicit script. Spectrum has taken a leap in producing this penetrating play, and the risk has paid off.
“Closer” cuts away false ideals and unrealistic dialogue to get right to the core of the human desires running through all romantic and sexual experiences. Directed by fourth-year College student Mary Claire Davis, the play grapples with universal themes within a microcosm of experience, examining how four characters react to truth and deception, what it means to give yourself to another person, and the illusions we create when we talk about love.
Squeamish individuals should avoid this performance. “Closer” is primarily a play about sex and audience members should expect no euphemisms, politeness or appropriate behavior. The dialogue between the four characters is often obscene and it is fantastic.
Like the “Vagina Monologues” produced by Spectrum each year, this play uses sexual experiences to divulge deeper meanings in the connections we form with other humans. Two of the most notable scenes in the play take place in an online adult chatroom and a strip club. No need to let your imagination fill in the gaps; the dialogue of this script spells everything out for you.
Though there were some technical malfunctions on its opening night last week, the small audience was deeply engaged and staggered by the production. The minimalist set was decorated with Mondrian-like black and white painted lines. Its modesty allowed for great flexibility to the play.
The actors, though far in age from the adult characters they represent, gave impressive performances: second-year College student Claire Ryder was sly and vulnerable as the enigmatic Alice; fourth-year College student Niki Afsar proved the worth of subtlety and restraint in acting; fourth-year College student Clay Shorey progressed well from an obituary writer to a tormented, besotted lover; and fourth-year College student Luke Van Bergen provides perhaps the most genuine performance of all, as the lustful, animalistic Larry.
It is so refreshing that plays like this — frank, uninhibited and indecent in the best ways possible — are available to at the University. Spectrum just may be at the forefront of new and exciting theater on Grounds.
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