Is the desire of love or power the most alluring?
Edgy and visceral, this contemporary adaptation of Webster’s classic Jacobean revenge tragedy is a world-premiere production. In this re-imagined classic, the Duchess of Malfi defies her brother’s chess game of power, manipulation and morality. Laced with violence and shocking wit, this macabre, plot-twisting, back-stabbing saga of murder, sex and betrayal doesn’t come to a pretty end. Written by former Portland playwright, Joseph Fisher. Jan 10 - Feb 12, Artists Repertory Theatre, 1515 SW Morrison, $23 - 50.
While there were funny parts, I enjoyed the narration device, and miscellaneous other aspects that I liked in the moment, somehow it didn't really ring for me in a strong, lasting visceral way. I'm glad I went, but no ringing.
It also seems to me, as far as the plot goes, that if they writer had omitted the last minute's conclusion with The Duchess, but kept everything else the same, that would've been a more satisfying ending. Clearly, however, he (meaning the original writer of the original piece, a few hundred years ago, of which this was simply an adaptation) had other ideas.
What I do really like, though, is seat D21 for the upstairs stage and a partial subscription package to preview shows. I'd like to do that part again, next year, I think.
Yeah, sometimes there are little glitches (the spotlight & the narrator weren't yet in sync, and once someone stumbled over the start of a line), but I get great satisfaction out of the prudence of seeing the same show for a fraction of the cost, reserving big expenses for big shows (Broadway, Cirque du Soleil).
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