[NEohioPAL] Berko review: THE SEAFARER @ Dobama

[Roy Berko]

*THE SEAFARER, an Irish saga at Dobama*



Roy Berko



Member, American Theatre Critics Association



--THE TIMES NEWSPAPERS--

LORAIN COUNTY TIMES--WESTLAKER TIMES--LAKEWOOD NEWS TIMES--OLMSTED-FAIRVIEW
TIMES



--COOLCLEVELAND.COM—



The Irish are noted for, among other things, being hearty drinkers, tellers
of tall tales, participants in physical conflict, and believers in fantasy,
redemption, fate, Catholicism, and escapes from reality.



THE SEAFARER by Conor McPherson, one of the newer Irish playwrights, is now
in production at Dobama Theatre.   McPherson has proven with his
naturalistic style of writing, that he can follow in the paths of Shaw,
Singe, Joyce and Beckett in creating a story that fits true Irish
traditions.



In THE SEAFARER, McPherson writes a dark Christmas fable which reflects
despair and a descent into oceanic depths of drunkenness.  It concerns
characters who spend their lives in alcoholic hazes, dependent upon each
other to get through life.  These are men who find it necessary to use
booze as an anesthetic to protect themselves from reality.



It’s Christmas evening in Baldoyle, a coastal settlement north of Dublin.  The
setting is the run-down, unkempt home of Richard Harkin and his brother
Sharky.  The duo has a long history of sibling rivalry.   Sharkey has
recently returned home after being sacked from his chauffeuring job for
being involved with his employer’s wife.   The tale reaches its apex when a
drunken quartet of men, and a mysterious stranger, play a game of poker
with more than money at stake.



As we observe, many of the characters are rudderless and blind.  In the
case of Richard, his blindness is real.  On Halloween he fell in a dumpster
causing the physical damage.  His younger brother, Sharky is blinded by
living life transitioning from one drunken rage to another.  Ivan, a
constant presence in the house, feels his way through life, hiding
constantly from reality.  Ivan has lost his glasses and can’t see
clearly.  This
lack of clarity causes a major plot turn.  Nicky, who is spending time with
Sharky’s ex, acts and dresses flamboyantly, is a constant bane for Sharky,
and seems blind to reality.



Who is the mysterious Mr. Lockhart, a man of refined appearance, with a
stiff exterior.  He has a secret, that centers on an action which
transpired 25 years ago while Sharkey was in prison for killing a vagrant.



Dobama’s production, under the direction of Scott Miller, is on one hand
compelling, on the other, inconsistent.  Miller fails to aid some of the
actors in texturing their performances.  Several yell throughout with
little inner motivation.  There is also some inconsistency in pacing and
consistent accents.  On the other hand, the quality of writing, the plot
development and several fine performances keep the long play interesting.



Joel Hammer makes the rage-filled Sharky, totally his.  The underlying and
expressive rage are well developed and textured.  This is an excellent
portrayal.



Larry Nehring is compelling as the pathetic Ivan.  He clearly portrays the
husband, father and drunk, who has difficulty with the realities of life.



Bernard Canepari’s Richard is properly frustrated, but the actor fails to
vary his performance.  He yells and yells and yells.  There is also the
problem of his stumbling over the lines.



Tom Woodward makes for an acceptable Nicky, but doesn’t create a crystal
clear character.  Who Nicky really is doesn’t come out.



Charles Kartali feigns as Mr. Lockhart.  He looks stern and unyielding,
presents his lines with fidelity, but misses the needed underlying devilish
quality.  There are times when he sounds more east coast U.S than Irish.



David Tilk’s set design works well as does Marcus Dana’s lighting.



*Capsule judgement:  THE SEAFARER is an Irish play which gives a vivid
picture of the frustrations of life on the Emerald Isles.  Dobama’s
production has some fine performances.  Though it is very well worth
seeing, some may find it overlong and lacking in clarity.*



THE SEAFARER plays at Dobama through December 18.  For tickets call 216-
932-3396 or go to http://dobama.org
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