All politics is theatre. I’m not just talking about now politics;
I’m talking all politics. The theatrics going on right now are second to none
in the Trump era of tweeting and false news, not to mention the ginormous crowds
taking to the streets to protest the above misogynist. It’s theatre at its
lowest denominator.
The jockeying, the showmanship of the politicians on the
Senate floor during the health care debate with John McCain giving the Repubs.
the finger with his ‘thumbs down’ vote in a last minute drive to pass the
senate was purely theatrical.
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| Cashae Monya with Allison Spratt Pearce |
The blame game between the R’s and the D’s, and the first to
stick their faces into a TV camera, the first to speak on a controversial vote,
etc., the he said, she said nonsense that in the end is all a matter of, as my
favorite Judge, Judge Judy says of all teenagers; if their lips are moving,
they are lying, and as my favorite T.V. hostess, Rachel Maddow says, ”Don’t
listen to what they say, watch what they do”. It’s high drama for the sake of
pleasing a particular audience.
In Kate Hennig’s new play, “The Last Wife” now
in a theatrically and politically charged West Coast premiere through
Feb.11th at Cygnet Theatre and under the nifty direction of Rob Lufty, the
comings and goings of Henry VIII came thankfully, well before MSNBC’s 24/7
news. One tyrant is quite enough for the masses to handle at a time.
Hennig’s reimagining of the history of the relationship
between Henry’s last and sixth wife, Katherine Parr, (she had three husbands he
was 52 she was 31) who was a whirlwind of knowledge and a cunning partner, is
at the least a somewhat easy lesson for non history buffs and at best, a
delicious play for those loving a savory dish.
It’s played in the present with its roots sewn in the past and is as contemporary as the latest ‘Breaking News” interruptions on T.V.
Yes, it's theatre and politics at its best.
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| Allison Spratt Pearce and Manny Fernandes |
Kate Parr challenges, using her most feminine of ways to change
the King’s thinking of how he treats and educates his women, particularly his
throw away so named, ‘bastard’ daughters Bess, later to become Queen Elizabeth I
and Mary, who will also one day occupy on the throne.
Driving that train, with all her slyness, intelligence and
skills however, puts Kate in harams way more often than she was willing to
acknowledge.
Hennig is unrelenting in her drive to put Kate on top, both
in the bedroom and as a teacher to his children, in particular young Eddie,
later to become Edward IV.
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| (L to R) Allison Spratt Pearce, Kylie Acuna, Cashae Monya Giovanni Cozic, Manny Fernandes/ |
Parr was intelligent, opportunistic and dutiful and at times
was well rewarded with jewels and a short run at political power. That, as much
as with scorn and brutality when Henry thought she stepped over the line, is
the stuff that keeps audiences coming back for more.
The two met at a time when the King was ailing. He was
suffering from a diseased leg that, if you will, stunk out loud because of the
way his court physicians were treating it. It was an open wound that was
covered but underneath the cotton wrapping, his raw skin was exposed.
He was relentless; oft times cruel, cunning, sexually and
physically abusive, frighteningly moody yet his bark in warfare was pretty much
reduced to a growl. Yet he was still in great form mentally to go neck and neck
in competition with her and enough to exert damage to anyone in his path, say
Parr.
Both were intelligent beings, and had shared interests
together like hunting and music. She was
the first Queen to be published. She edited and wrote religious books on Prayers
and Meditations.
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| Allison Sprat Pearce and Steven Lone |
Katherine was lucky to have outlived Henry by a few years as
her love affair with Henry’s ex brother in law Thomas Seymour wore at Henry.
Steven Lone (handsomely appealing and suspicious to the core) as Jane’s brother
was an open secret to so many that it almost cost Parr her life. The fact that Thom was playing a no win game with young Bess (14 year old Kylie
Acuña) and Henry was dying most likely saved her life.
She and Thom Seymour later married. She died in childbirth,
leaving behind a young daughter. He was beheaded for messing with Bess.
Like dueling banjo’s, the two play their tunes like it or
not, each to preserve whatever wit, power or up-mans ship he or she might gain
in the political arena of Henry’s biography, and I might add hers, although less
is written about her.
Hers will be noted for her push to give women equal rights,
to educate them and to elevate them to lead nations; his of course to preserve
the status quo.
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| Manny Fernandes and Allison Spratt Pearce |
Cygnet Theatre has hit this one out of the ballpark with an
all -star cast and as fine theatre as you will see anywhere. The chemistry
between Many Fernandes the oversized, blustering Henry and the stunning, petite
and beautiful Allison Sprat Pearce is hot.
Theirs is an emotional seesaw that if it could be predicted
as to how each would fare, all bets would be off save for the historical facts.
But…in 2018 terms one would know, so sophisticated we think we are.
The two battle intellectually as well as physically. He
attempts to strangle her a couple of times and once, he pushes her to the
ground (George Yé’s great fight direction) and if that wasn’t a gasping moment,
nothing was. On stage Fernandes’ appearance and performance are bigger than
life and I might add an all time high for this versatile actor.
As for Allison Spratt Pearce, nothing less than exceptional
can be used to describe her performance. As Katherine she’s smart, witty, strong
tough and tender at the same time.
She’s nurturing (as much as she can) to Henry’s children
showing tenderness and affection especially to Eddie (played with wholesomeness
by Giovanni Cozic, on opening night) born to Henry’s ‘love of his life’ wife
Jane Seymour. To young Bess, brilliantly
played by the mature 14-year-old Kylie Acuña Parr' high expectations pay off in the end.
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| Cashae Monya, Allison Spratt Pearce and Kylie Acuna |
The belligerent and feisty Mary as played by Cashae Monya, out
to unnerve her stepmother at every turn and push her father’s buttons when she
is in his presence, are both funny and clever.
Just coming off of playing Sally Bowles in Ion’s “Cabaret”, this looks to be a fun change of pace for her.
Just coming off of playing Sally Bowles in Ion’s “Cabaret”, this looks to be a fun change of pace for her.
Veronica Murphy’s costumes both contemporary and in Monya’s
case very funky are eye appealing. Sean Fanning’s modern and sleek set reflects
both present and past, and Chris Rynnes lighting design helps keep the focus on
the drama being played out and Kevin Anthenill’s sound compliments it all.
“The Last Wife” is a theatrically driven recreation of
history repeating itself in many ways now that women have once again found
their voices centuries after Katherine Parr, perhaps the first women’s libber,
led the march. You will kick yourself if
you miss this one.
Thanks to Kate (ah, those Kate’s) Hennig, Kate Parr gets the
last word in this recreation of then and now political theatre at its best.
See you at the theatre.
Dates: Through Feb.11th
Organization: Cygnet Theatre
Phone: 619-337-1525
Production Type: Drama
Where: 440 Twiggs Street, Old Town, San Diego, CA 92110
Ticket Prices: Start at $38.00
Web: cygnettheatre.com
Venue: Cygnet Theatre
Photo: Daren Scott
