Review: The Power Plays

Image by kulturprojekt21 via Flickr

It was seldom that a play or theater is done in English here in Bonn. When that happens, sure enough, almost all of the English speaking community and expats flock to the theater to have a taste of this elusive treat. This is all thanks to The Bonn Players.

The Bonn Players is an international group based in Bonn, whose purpose is to present high quality English-language theatre. The group has an active membership of around 100 people, representing about 10-15 different nationalities. It was founded in 1980 making this year their 31st in the business. For updated information for their next program, visit them at www.bonnplayers.de.

Yesterday, we have seen the presentation of Power Plays - Two Comedies by Elaine May and Alan Arkin. This is the second time I have seen the group perform, the first one was last year with "The Importance of Being Earnest." 

The Way of All Fish by Elaine May

“This is a ping pong power game played between a self-absorbed executive and her seemingly drab secretary. Over an impromptu dinner together, the executive’s condescending graciousness drains away as the secretary explains her fantasy of gaining immortality by killing someone famous and successful—someone like her boss”. (from Samuel French, Inc. Catalog)

What plays out between the two is an example of sharp American humour, enriched with sinister overtones. Miss Riverton makes references to John Wilkes Booth, Charles Manson and Jack The Ripper to explain her definition of notoriety. She even goes to add that the last two did not have to murder anybody famous to achieve this. These remarks obviously unsettle Miss Asquith, and the comedic effect is at its best in the dialogue that ensues between the trembling boss and her "cool" employee. It is the classic juxtaposition - the essence of real comedy. The exchanges are staccato in their delivery, and the black humour is further embellished with comments about New York society.

Reality, however, eventually comes home to roost. Miss Riverton is not a murderer; her real aspirations in life are no different to those of her fellow human beings. She wants to be better paid for her work, for example, so as to enable her to have a lifestyle somewhat approaching that of her employer. She sees herself as a "strong" person, just like the strength of the female fish. She can carry a large number of files up the stairs and do a number of press-ups, but most importantly she is strong in spirit, perhaps the most important strength of all. In the end, it is this that is seen as the defining point in the play.

Virtual Reality by Alan Arkin

Arkin's take begins with two nervous, shady characters meeting to do an always unspecified "job". The two bicker about everything, beginning with how Lefty can "identify himself" when he left all identification at home, and things only get worse from then on. De Recha is the in-the-know leader, demonstrating his brief authority as a stickler for order. Again and again he suggests miming "practice sessions" and then pushing the idea so far toward the edge of absurdity that Lefty rebels.

This play plays with the sheer magic make-believe of theater, calling forth virtual objects and bones of contention, with one sudden, startling addition: sound. When Lefty stumbles on the invisible bundle he put on the floor after taking out of the invisible crate --- there is a clanging of metal as if it fell on the floor! Sound Operator fits their few cues so deftly into the action they add a whole new dimension to the play's "reality"!

All in all, a "four star" for the Bonn Players' triumph...

Brotfabrik is located in Kreuzstrasse 16, Bonn - Beuel. You can take bus 603, 608 and 609 from Bonn Hauptbahnhof with 12 minutes travel time until Doktor - Weis - Platz bus stop.

For more culture program information, see Stadt Bonn Homepage.