by Ernest Kearney — Matei Visniec is a Romanian playwright who sought and was granted political asylum in France in 1987. Following the collapse of the Communist regime of Nicolai Ceausescu in 1989, Visniec became one of his nation’s most touted dramatists.
Old Clown Wanted, a recently mounted Odyssey Theatre Ensemble presentation, reflects his expanding international reputation, having been produced in France, Germany, Denmark, Austria, Finland, Poland, Italy, Brazil and other countries. Though for the life of me I can’t see why.
Three old clowns Niccolo (Alan Abelew), Flippo (José A. Garcia) and Peppino (Beth Hogan) all meet in a squalid upper story space that seems like a dance studio which has been empty of music for a dismally long time.
On a locked door hangs a sign, “Old Clown Wanted.”
Niccolo, Flippo and Peppino, all of long association, wail joyously at their unexpected encounter, bicker and try to manipulate each other into leaving so that they’ll be the only “old clown” at the audition.
There is some amusing tomfoolery as “wish cake icing,” meaning, I wish there was a cake under all that icing.
I assume there is a deeper meaning under it all, resonating on a social political level with allusions to regime change where one “old clown” is as good as another.
According to the program’s notes, Visniec holds great respect for clowns as “the embodiment of one who laughs when one cries and cries when one laughs.”
But the three clowns he places on his stage are “moronic clowns compelled to strut about, to perform in the great social comedy, playing into the hands of the machine conceived for the purpose of humiliating us, of dehumanizing us, of killing us.”
All right, if he says so.
I saw none of that.
What I did see was a trio of fine performers in a solidly mounted show.
Abelew and Garcia backslap and backstab each other with infectious mirth, and the incomparable Beth Hogan demonstrates all the qualities which render her “incomparable.”
But, despite the fine performances, if you come expecting Beckett’s Didi and Gogo you will be disappointed. Come expecting nothing more than diverting hijinks and you may have an amusing night at the theatre. Soundly directed by Florinel Fatulescu on a superb set by Jeff Rack.
♦ ♦ ♦
Old Clown Wanted
played
From Sept. 22 to Nov. 4, 2018
For more information about upcoming Odyssey Theatre Ensemble productions
Visit
or phone
310-477-2055 EXT. 2
♦ ♦ ♦
We are The TVolution:
a boutique Arts & Entertainment website,
spreading the word about local events,
creative projects and independently backed artistic offerings.
Like us on Facebook
Follow us on Twitter @theTVolution
Please Subscribe to our Newsletter
(Box on the Left Rail)
We Thank You for Supporting the Voices of TheTVolution
Looking for More Events? Click HERE
