Happy 457th Birthday, Mr. Shakespeare

 Happy 457^th Birthday, Mr. Shakespeare

The Drilling Company
Shakespeare in the Parking Lot
April 23, 2021

                        Photo courtesy of The Drilling Company                      

How did you spend William Shakespeare’s 457^th birthday?  I spent it at The Drilling Company’s Shakespeare in the Parking Lot celebration at The Clement (107 Norfolk).  Yes, I attended my first live theatre performance in over a year.  It was outdoors, spacious, everyone wore masks (actors and audience), and Shakespeare was performed and celebrated.

If you’ve read this blog before, you know of my respect and admiration for the work of The Drilling Company.  Their Shakespeare in the Parking Lot productions have presented FREE summer Shakespeare on the Lower East Side for twenty-five years.  You might have seen them in Bryant Park Shakespeare in recent years.  This William Shakespeare birthday celebration was an outstanding evening of songs, scenes, and soliloquies.  It started with the conjuring of three witches from the Scottish Play, and ended with Puck’s ”If we shadows have offended…”  One scene seamlessly blended into the next, filling the audience with joy from both the recognition of these recreations of past productions and the healing energy of the long-missed communal theatre experience.  

Director Hamilton Clancy is gifted in making Shakespeare engaging and accessible for a wide range of audience members.  He is dedicated to making quality performances FREE to the public.  He gathers a masterful troupe of skilled actors every season.  The cast of veteran Drilling Company actors in this celebration were enthralling.  They recreated their former roles and gave a sneak peek into what is being considered for this coming summer.  Yes, they will be back this summer both at The Clement (on the Lower East Side) and at Bryant Park.  Planning is still underway so check their website (drillingcompany.org) for up to date information.  Keep in mind that seating will probably be limited due to social distancing, so even though ALL performance are FREE, reservation will need to be made in advance. 

Domenick Danza

The Father

The Father
A Film by Florian Zeller
Sony Pictures Classics
March 28, 2021

The Father  -  Movie Poster
  Photo courtesy of Sony Pictures Classics  

When I read that Anthony Hopkins and Olivia Colman were both nominated for Screen Actors Guild and Golden Globe Awards for The Father, I was immediately interested in seeing it.  Not only because of the magnitude of the work of these two actors, but because I saw the Manhattan Theatre Club production of Christopher Hampton’s translation of Florian Zeller’s play, The Father, in 2016.  Could this movie be an adaptation of that play?  I was very enthusiastic when I found out it was!

I remember the play very clearly.  It was highly impactful, relying on many theatrical devices and stage effects to create a very profound experience.  Frank Langella was brilliant in the role of Andre, the father.  Kathryn Erbe was mesmerizing as his daughter.  You can read my post of that production on this blog, dated April 1, 2016.  I was intrigued to find out if the impact of that play would successfully transfer to film.  I am happy to say, under the direction of Florian Zeller, it was skillfully achieved.  How could it be anything less, since Mr. Zeller co-wrote the screenplay with Christopher Hampton.

Imogen Poots, Olivia Colman, & Anthony Hopkins in The Father
Photo courtesy of Sony Pictures Classics

Anthony Hopkins plays Antony (a name change from Frank Langella’s character in Christopher Hampton’s translation).  He is a senior adult who is facing the challenges of memory loss and the need for full time home care.  Olivia Colman plays Anne, his daughter, who is overwhelmed by the care of her father, while facing her own life changing decisions.  The confusion builds as the scenes progress, yet they contain very specific and subtle clues that keep the audience connected.  As the action unfolds, the audience realizes they are experiencing the events from Antony’s point of view.  The confusion is purposeful, offering an insightful understanding to the frustration and powerlessness that comes with aging and memory loss.

It is re-assuring when a well-conceived, skillfully crafted, and expertly produced play is turned into an effective and thought provoking film.  Make it a point to see The Father.  The performances are outstanding, but more importantly, the experience is mind altering. 

Domenick Danza