Bittersweet love
'Remains' reveals faded romance
by Carrie Dodson / staff writer
DAVE KIM / staff photographer
Senior Robert O. Wilson grabs sophomore Hunter Christy in
"Animal Remains" at Theatre II. |
There comes a time in everyone's life when old friendships
fade away and new ones take their place. The space between the old
and the new is fraught with bittersweet feelings as one tries to
create an impossible balance. This space is the topic of "Animal
Remains," playing at Theatre II this week.
The play involves a trio of friends, ex-friends and lovers who
are on the brink of full-blown adulthood and are hesitating at the
edge. The three meet for what is presumably the last time in an
abandoned house, the playground of their earlier days.
Abe, played by senior Robert O. Wilson, is the neurotic but idealistic
friend who has taken up residence in the house. Afraid of the outside
world, he refuses to leave. Lorna, played by senior Trinity Baker,
visits him every Wednesday, checking on his wounded leg and developing
a sordid romance with him.
These two characters occupy the first hour of the play, fighting,
kissing, growling and complaining. Wilson and Baker play together
wonderfully, each one picking up on the other's slightest gestures.
Some of their movements feel improvised, not from any sloppiness
on their part, but rather from the sheer spontaneity of their actions.
Everything seems all right, sort of, until Fitch comes to visit.
Played by sophomore Hunter Christy, Fitch is the embodiment of the
real world. He enters in his suit and tie, fresh from his job as
an errand boy at a law firm, instantly anomalous with his surroundings.
Now that all three are reunited, Lorna can tell her important news
to both of them at the same time.
Wilson and Baker work well together to form a believable relationship
that is on the verge of extinction. In addition, Christy brilliantly
completes the trio, not only through his strong physical opposition
to Abe, but also through his adept portrayal of the voice of reason
in the group.
None of these great performances would amount to much without their
material. The play, written and directed by senior Justin Tolley,
is filled with witty exchanges, brilliant remarks and serious themes.
The delicate balance between the serious and the jovial is the key
to the play's success.
Other elements that add to the experience of watching "Animal
Remains" include a fantastic set that realistically recreates
the room in the abandoned house and the sound of subtle thunderclaps
that rumble intermittently over the dialogue. None of these, however,
is as effective as the way in which Tolley constructs the crumbling
relationships between his characters and the manner in which Wilson,
Baker and Christy portray them.
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