The enigmatic Lob (Andrew Ceglio) creates a surreal
world where everyone gets a second chance at life's
huge decisions. The Tabard Theatre Company photo
In the country the darkness of night is friendly and familiar…”
- Somerset Maugham
For many of the great classical plays throughout theatre history, the forest and the woods hold a special, celestial significance. It was in the forest that the maddening plots of the four lovers, puppeteered by Oberon and the feisty Robin Goodfellow, AKA Puck, ran wild in William Shakespeare’s “A Midsummer Nights Dream.” The Forest of Arden was never the same after Orlando carved the fair Rosalind’s name on just about every tree in Shakespeare’s “As You Like It.”
And for the folks at The Tabard Theatre Company in San Jose, the forest is where a critical question is posed – if you had a chance to do over one of your great regrets, what might happen?
“Hold on to Love,” written by James M. Barrie, begins a four-weekend run at Theatre on San Pedro Square starting Friday, January 29th. The show, described by Tabard as a re-imagining of Barrie’s script “Dear Brutus,” is presented in three acts, with each act a crisp 30 minutes.
The story focuses on the invitation of eight guests to the country home of the mysterious and enigmatic Lob (pronounced lobe), a gnomish, elfin like fellow, who also possesses a magical forest. Lob’s butler warns them, however, to take caution in these eerie woods. Because of past and present transgressions among the guests, ranging from theft to infidelity, Lob offers them a succulently irresistible invitation – enter the magical forest, and the woods will offer their lives a do-over.
Director Doug Baird said the play is about looking at having a second chance at the big decisions in life. “If you could, would you marry this person or that person,” said Baird. “That’s the meat of it. These characters are brought together for different situations they’ve made.”
Barrie, who's best known for creating the world of Neverland in his epic novel “Peter Pan,” wrote the play back in 1919. Tabard artistic director Cathy Spielberger Cassetta, the producer of the show who is also portraying the character of Mabel, took advantage of the play’s public domain status to give the title a little dust-up. “We think it speaks better to a 21st century audience,” said Cassetta.
Cassetta and Baird have been with the production since the company’s original reading of the play, when it was discovered just what kind of fun and quirky show they had on their hands. Cassetta even goes so far as to describe the play as “kind of like a Twilight Zone experience.”
Baird said it was during the table process that the humor of the show really came out. Of the 11 actors who performed in that reading, nine are still with the cast.
Because of Barrie’s penchant for creating an inspiring world for his characters, a big chunk of the play’s appeal is the narrative, which thrills Cassetta. “What’s interesting about the script is that it’s written like a novel. There’s an amazing amount of description and direction in his play, his narrative is beautifully written.”
Even though the play is one that can be considered whimsically comic, there are many themes that cut directly to the core of the human condition.
As is often the case, people make the safe choice. There is no heartbreak when one takes advantage of convention. The true danger lies in the risky choice, going to the place that pushes one to the brink. Baird hopes audiences will make that connection to the script.
“I think they will be able to see when you’re walking down a path, just the way you’re going to go, you can’t change, but the ones with the thin bright faces can,” said Baird. “Maybe if you have the strength, the wisdom to make another decision, that you can do it. Sometimes you go into that same decision because that’s kicked into you.”
EXAMINE IT FOR YOURSELF
The Tabard Theatre Company presents the Bay Area premiere of “Hold on to Love”
Written by J.M. Barrie
Directed by Doug Baird
Jan. 29th – Feb. 20th 2010
Tickets start at $10
All performances take place at Theatre on San Pedro Square
29 North San Pedro Street, San Jose, CA 95110
For tickets and more information, call 1-800-838-3006
Email David John Chavez at dchavez04@att.net
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