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Looking across the Austin theatre scene, and the theatre scene at large, one thing you don’t see a lot of is all-girl ensembles. Indeed, there seems to be only one other this year, City Theatre’s brilliant production of Agnes of God earlier this year. Emerging company Paladin Theatre Company is hoping to change this, however, with director Charles Stites taking the reigns of Caroline Kava’s most famous work, Early Girl, which gives us a look inside a bordello in a smalll, unnamed city and takes us through the lives, troubles, and trials of the working girls who call the place home. Unlike so many other plays on the subject, Early Girl mostly turns its lens away from the more sexual and violent elements of the business, and instead shows us a clean, well-run house full of girls with real problems such as jealousy, home-sickness, and self-doubt.
Keylee Paige Koop first takes to the stage a bright-eyed, fresh-faced spring lamb, but as the production jumps into high gear, we see her shed her fleece to reveal the lioness beneath. She becomes a woman on a mission, ripping and tearing through anything in her path, be it the expectations of her housemates, the "cardinal rules" of the house, or her relationships with the other women. She does a number of despicable things throughout the play, but even then, we find it hard to dislike her, and this is mostly due to Koop’s raw charisma, a certain allure that makes us unable to lose our sympathy. At times, her anger seems immature, but in a way, it just reminds us of the youth of these women.
Jean is a beautiful young prostitute who is much too smart, and much too talented for the house, and Lindsley Howard seems born to play the part. Howard brings an impressive combination of savage wit and graceful maturity to the role that makes her infinitely endearing. The character is one of the most well-written in the play, throwing around plenty of caustic barbs and intellectual factoids, but also spouting some brazen monologues, which Howard carries with plenty of heart, her eyes seeming to burn through us as she stares across the audience.
The cast is full of other lovely, talented ladies, each offering something special to the ensemble. Rose Fredson brings a boldness and humor to her performance as George, her personality bursting across the theater whenever she hits the stage. Though she has some trouble making her more extreme emotions believable, she lends an authenticity to quieter moments, transforming her character into one you might see strolling through the mall on a weekend off. Also charming audiences is Ashley Rae Spillers as Pat, the air-headed, but lovable little oddball, whose pixie-ish looks and wide grin are sure to bring a smile to your face. During some of the more intense moments, she may get lost in the wash, but she brings light to many of the dark periods in the play, raising the moods of audience and characters alike with her kooky cuteness.
It’s difficult to find a play today that captures the lives of such strong and independent women as well as Kava’s Early Girl, and with this group of actresses, who are as talented as they are beautiful, and Stites' leadership, the play is brought to life in a very believable way. The performances may not.jpg)
always hit theheights they should, but this young ensemble and fledgling company should be proud of their accomplishment, and is quickly becoming a company to watch out for.
Early Girl is playing at the Salvage Vanguard Theater through August 22nd. To purchase tickets, or find out more information, visit Paladin Theatre's website at paladintheatrecompany.com
Photos courtesy of Kimberley Mead
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