The Feast of Saint McGonagall
Written by Jessica Wright Buha
Directed by Gregory Peters
Berger Park Coach House, 6205 N. Sheridan (map)
thru Dec 29 | tickets: $15-$20 | more info
Check for half-price tickets
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Deliciously well done!
The Plagiarists presents
The Feast of Saint McGonagall
Review by Anuja Vaidya
William Topaz McGonagall dedicated his life to the art of poetry. Unfortunately, dedication does not always equal talent. However, his lack of talent was apparent to everybody but him. This makes for many a funny and awkward situation. The Plagiarists latest offering, The Feast of Saint McGonagall is a hilarious testament to the life of this
The play is essentially a vignette piece and strings together different incidents in McGonagall’s life. Different boxes stacked on either side of the stage signify different courses of the meal and list the events of his life. Each box also contains props for that segment. We learn of McGonagall’s attempt to meet Queen Victoria, his disastrous trip to New York and his (in)famous performance in Shakespeare’s Macbeth. We are also introduced to McGonagall’s “poetic gems” when the cast takes to dramatizing some of his works.
Every bit of the space is used and is cleverly transformed to fit the scene with the use of simple but effective sets and props. These also add to the humor.
The execution has a veneer of spontaneity that can only be achieved onstage with a great deal of practice. The actors pull the Tam o’ Shanter (a traditional Scottish bonnet worn by Scottish men) off each other’s heads to embody McGonagall or the lead characters in his poetry. The cast’s performance is high-spirited and appropriately slapstick. James Dunn and Amber Gerencher shine in every segment of this show. Gerencher gives us a nuanced and sensitive performance as McGonagall particularly when he is rejected by New York. Her performance is such that you actually pause in the midst of the hilarity and feel for the man. Dunn’s deadpan look is absolutely hilarious, as is his performance as one half of the evil duo in the one of McGonagall’s works, “Jack ‘o the Cudgel”.
However, the one drawback to the execution of this production is that it can get confusing. At times the movement from one event to the next is a tad too swift. The difference between an incident from McGonagall’s life and a dramatization of one of his works isn’t always clear. The entire show is in verse and, while this is an interesting device, adds to the moments of confusion. Absolute clarity is of particular importance in a production like this since not every audience member will be familiar with McGonagall the man and his work.
This is certainly an unusual subject for a play and an unusual execution of it. But it works. You will find yourself engrossed in the show and just a little more knowledgeable about English literature than perhaps you were. And, I do believe, fun will be had by all.
Rating: ★★★
The Feast of Saint McGonagall continues through December 29th at Berger Park Cultural Center, 6205 N. Sheridan (map), with performances Thursdays-Saturdays at 8pm. Tickets are $15-$20, and are available by phone (800-838-3006) or online through BrownPaperTickets.com (check for half-price tickets at Goldstar.com). More info at ThePlagiarists.org. (Running time: 1 hour 30 minutes, no intermission)
Photos by Jasmine Basci
artists
cast
Jack Dugan Carpenter, James Dunn, Ken Miller, Amber Gerencher, Erika Haaland, Kristen T. King, Sara Jean McCarthy
behind the scenes
Gregory Peters (director); Kim Miller (asst. director); Erika Haaland (music director); Kit Ryan (stage manager); Paul Kastner (tech director, set design); John Jacobsen (lighting); Bridget Barclay-Peters (costumes, props); Christopher M. Walsh (fight choreography); Chad Brown (production manager); Layne Manzer (publicity designer); Jasmine Basci (photos)
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