REVIEW: Shakespeare & Company, “Flight of the Monarch”

Shakespeare & Company, Lenox, MA

www.shakespeare.org 

through August 25, 2024

by Shera Cohen

Photo by Nile Scott Studios

Two of Shakespeare & Company’s (S&Co.) finest actors, not to mention among the best in the Berkshires, take the stage and the subject matter straight-on, full-force playing brother and sister in “Flight of the Monarch”. The two create characters living the effects of their parents, warts, and all.

Audiences are used to seeing Corinna May (Sheila) and Allyn Burrows (Thomas) as consummate Shakespearean thespians. In “Monarch,” they are essentially stripped of make-up, wear clothing seemingly from the dregs of a costumer’s closet, and live (only seen is Sheila’s home) in a disheveled old house.

Sheila and Thomas depend on each other for different reasons, and for the most part, they have come through their own relationship and disconnections with their parents – not happily but at least they are still here. Yet, at Sheila’s latest trip to the psychiatric hospital (Act I), where Thomas visits, she has made some major decisions.

As of late, it is encouraging to observe so many collaborations in the arts’ fields. Community theatres promote each other, professional symphonies support the work of smaller music groups.

In the case of “Monarch,” S&Co. has teamed up with the newer troupe Great Barrington Public Theatre (GBPT), about 15-minutes up the road, as playwright Jim Frangione and director Judy Braha (from GBPT) craft a contemporary narrative with May and Burrows, not as the expected sibling rivals, but as caring people.

Many audience members shy away from two-character plays. Yes, May and Burrows are the only figures onstage. No more are needed in this story. 

Yet, neither actors’ character is solely that of sibling. Frangione has fleshed out five or so decades as backstory, including characters never seen: mother, father, daughter, ex-husband, a younger sister. May and Burrows talk about, and to, these people in their lives, and the audience immediately knows them.

“Monarch” is an example of a perfect blend of drama and comedy. At times, it feels a bit uncomfortable laughing at some of the horrible events in the characters’ lives. But don’t we all do this in the real world?

Beware of first impressions. The actors are exceptional at understatement. May’s Sheila smolders beneath her laisse-faire attitude. Burrows’ Thomas seemingly bit dim-witted stereotype dwarfs his innate intelligence.

One particular challenge in the rehearsal process must have been learning and maintaining the Cape Cod accent; somewhat like Maine with mellow undertones.

Why the title? Sister and brother are enthralled with their surroundings, full of beauty – flowers and butterflies. The audience will understand the author’s analogy as insight to the characters that May and Burrows so concisely portray.