September 13, 2010
A one-man-play, which used a discussion of theatre as a springboard to look at modern alienation and the human condition. First, speaking about plays and their conventions, the protagonist then broadens out to look at other conventions and formulae in society, and takes a somewhat dim view of them. The play is witty, well delivered, and was an overall joy to watch.
David Calvitto, the actor, was excellent. He was completely comfortable and self assured, which in turn meant I felt safe in his hands. A lesser actor performing the play might have made me feel self-conscious and uncomfortable, but Calvitto’s obvious confidence was greatly reassuring.
There was much about this play that hinted of stand up comedy. It was very self-aware, often referred to the audience and had many fast segues switches between topics. The Event offered pithy nuggets of observations on the human condition, delivered with a light comic sauce for dipping. These titbits of thought, eloquently delivered, ranged from the nature of aging, through The Media and, yes, alienation. Personally I felt that all these issues have been dealt with quite a lot in many recent cultural offerings, so I didn’t feel their jolt as others in the audience might have. I also felt that, though well presented, the focus didn’t stay on any one issue for very long, so the end result was more an offering of thought popcorn rather then a hearty mental casserole. That said, this lightness was in very much in keeping with the play’s nod towards stand up comedy, so that’s just fine.
Unlike stand up however, the observations and witticisms were not desperately pleading with the audience for belly laughs, and rather were perfectly comfortable with letting the audience chuckle and nod in a knowing way. Again, I appreciated the lightness of this; you really didn’t feel like you had to try and laugh, so could just sit back and smile comfortably to yourself. Which is nice, because throughout the play our protagonist turned the audience’s gaze on itself, challenging us to break with theatre convention, and this could have been uncomfortable but for the easy of the play and the assured competence of Calvitto.
I really enjoyed this play and can see why it has received so much critical acclaim. The Event will speak especially strongly to anyone involved in drama or the theatre scene, and I would encourage you to catch this performance if you can.
David Calvitto, the actor, was excellent. He was completely comfortable and self assured, which in turn meant I felt safe in his hands. A lesser actor performing the play might have made me feel self-conscious and uncomfortable, but Calvitto’s obvious confidence was greatly reassuring.
There was much about this play that hinted of stand up comedy. It was very self-aware, often referred to the audience and had many fast segues switches between topics. The Event offered pithy nuggets of observations on the human condition, delivered with a light comic sauce for dipping. These titbits of thought, eloquently delivered, ranged from the nature of aging, through The Media and, yes, alienation. Personally I felt that all these issues have been dealt with quite a lot in many recent cultural offerings, so I didn’t feel their jolt as others in the audience might have. I also felt that, though well presented, the focus didn’t stay on any one issue for very long, so the end result was more an offering of thought popcorn rather then a hearty mental casserole. That said, this lightness was in very much in keeping with the play’s nod towards stand up comedy, so that’s just fine.
Unlike stand up however, the observations and witticisms were not desperately pleading with the audience for belly laughs, and rather were perfectly comfortable with letting the audience chuckle and nod in a knowing way. Again, I appreciated the lightness of this; you really didn’t feel like you had to try and laugh, so could just sit back and smile comfortably to yourself. Which is nice, because throughout the play our protagonist turned the audience’s gaze on itself, challenging us to break with theatre convention, and this could have been uncomfortable but for the easy of the play and the assured competence of Calvitto.
I really enjoyed this play and can see why it has received so much critical acclaim. The Event will speak especially strongly to anyone involved in drama or the theatre scene, and I would encourage you to catch this performance if you can.