There’s
a formula for single-actor plays that can get pretty tedious. “What’s that you say,
Mr. President?” the actor playing some famous person says, then answers in an
effort to imitate the president’s voice. Some are historically interesting and
even showcase an actor’s versatility. But in The Syringa Tree Shipping Dock
Theatre is offering a rare treat: an incredibly difficult one-actor drama that
is moving and inspiring, and so beautifully performed that it doesn’t even seem
to be the virtuosic showcase that it certainly is.
Pamela
Gien wrote this largely autobiographical drama to re-create her powerful
personal impressions of the joys, beauties, horrors, conflicts, and abiding
love she remembers from South Africa. Gien played it to great acclaim, becoming
more than 20 characters in this tale of a little girl, her family, her beloved
maidservant, and, especially, the native black girl who was like a younger
sister to her. Elliptically, through the enthusiasms and sadnesses of that
little girl, The
Syringa Tree tells the story of modern
South Africa. Its rich imagery includes songs and superstitions and terrible
historical events.
But what has gained this beautifully written work so much
international admiration is its ultimate assertion of humanity and
indestructible love, even in the face of racial hatreds and seemingly hopeless
conflicts.
Subtly directed by Barbara Biddy to avoid bravura display as well
as off-putting repetition, Kerry Young is irresistibly involving in this
demanding work. She brings us the two prating little girls who mature into
strong-minded young women, mysterious deep-voiced native men, heavily accented
Afrikaners, heartily vulgar neighbors, delicate women who sound British, and
one melodious-voiced native South African servant who will break your heart.
Don’t miss this astounding performance.
The Syringa Tree by Pamela Gien, directed by
Barbara Biddy, plays Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m., Sundays at 2 p.m. through
October 24 at Shipping Dock Theatre, in the Visual
Studies Auditorium, 31 Prince Street. $12 to $22. 232-2250, www.shippingdocktheatre.org.
This article appears in Oct 13-19, 2004.
