You will probably never see four more hard working actors that play the dozens of roles in this San Jose Rep’s offering. This is an edgy, dark, sometimes humorous production. Director Kirsten Brandt (also the Rep’s associate artistic director), shows the patience of a stern understanding mother, she moves her characters at times with the force of a hurricane into a gentle breeze of a summer day. She had to have a definite deep attachment for this work to not only direct it but also adapt it from Christopher Marlow’s original play for the Rep’s stage. This was no easy task.
Mark Anderson Phillips (Dr. John Faustus), shows the energy of a teenager and keeps moving at breakneck speed throughout his outstanding execution of this difficult intricate role.
Lyndsy Kail, (Mephistopheles and other roles) keeps up with Phillips’ liveliness and is almost every scene with him. She gives a superior performance.
Rachel Harker and Halsey Varady (the two play fifteen plus roles) with the vigor and first-rate delivery that is trademark of this production.
The adapted story from Christopher Marlow’s book tells the story of Doctor Faustus who makes a deal with the devil to trade his soul for 24 years of knowledge, power and anything and everything he might want.
Avenging angels, diabolic demons and puppets play against super creative sets and lighting by Davis Lee Cuthbert that change by the minute with leading edge projections and sets that change before your eyes. The scenery moves as fast as the actors and can be considered one of the stars of the show. Rick Lombardo (Rep’s Artistic Director) took over as sound designer which had extremely intricate timing that was well done.
“The Tragical History of Doctor Faustus” goes bounding around the world like an obsessed locomotive with jerky stops and uncontrollable careening throughout the legend. Encounters with Helen of Troy, Alexander The Great, The Seven Deadly Sins, dragons and the devil himself gives Faustus thoughts of fear of the final out came of his bargain in his final days.
This is a unique production and is an extraordinary story in the way it is presented, which makes it a distinctive experience. If you enjoy rare, different well done theatre, this is it.
Camille Bounds is the Theatre and Arts Editor for Sunrise Publications.
