THE 1041C Theater Reviews

Sorry this was so late, I couldn’t figure out how to post my review. Here it is!

I must admit, I was initially skeptical about how much I would enjoy this performance, or whether I would enjoy it at all! I have been to the theater before and enjoyed it immensely, but these were occasions where I was more familiar with the material and less tired. I had also never seen a staged reading before. It had been a long day and my patience was wearing thin, but the actors did a wonderful job keeping me awake and attentive. I am happy to say that I enjoyed this performance very much.

What really struck me was the power behind the lines delivered during the course of the play. It is such a different experience, to actually see a play instead of just reading it. Words on paper can only convey so much emotion and feeling. Hearing it read out loud was a treat; I felt engaged at all times. I was unsure of what to expect as it was my first staged reading; I am used to seeing more traditional and ‘official’ versions of plays. I’m not sure exactly what to call them, but this was an interesting break from traditional theater that I had experienced before. The minimalist approach to the play allowed me to really enjoy what was really important: the acting.

The acting was great on all parts, with casting done very well. I will say that I envisioned the actress that would ideally play Medea a little differently, but she absolutely stole the show throughout the play and proved me wrong. I felt a strong chemistry between the actors, which is always important, especially in a play as brutal and visceral as Medea. Being able to convincingly and meaningfully simulate dialogue is one of the most difficult things an actor can achieve, but it was done nearly flawlessly. The only real criticism I could possibly have of this play is that it felt just slightly rushed. I realize that they were working with a very limited amount of time and resources, so I am more than willing to let this slide. I look forward to seeing more theater in the near future.