
Review: Silliness in the CSF’s Much Ado
Geoffrey Kent is a terrific Benedick, a complete goof but capable of a genuinely moving dignity when required.
Geoffrey Kent is a terrific Benedick, a complete goof but capable of a genuinely moving dignity when required.
Truth be told, though, this is Kent’s show. He’s dashing, but approachably so, sturdy and worldly, yet boyish. Mostly, it’s Kent’s ability to reveal Benedick’s need for Beatrice that turns this from an evening of fun wordplay into a real romantic comedy.
That’s because it is, intermittently, tons of fun. Geoffrey Kent, who doubles as fight director and plays romantic musketeer Aramis, has choreographed many huge fights that are precise, aerodynamic and, best of all, believable.
Fight director Geoffrey Kent directs as much roughhousing as a Democratic National Convention protest. These aren’t simply one-on-one duels. These are full-on battle scenes that often turn clever and comedic. It’s a very impressive display, and one that drew deserved applause from the audience on several occasions on opening night.
“Geoff Kent cuts through the play’s darkness — literal and figurative both — as a virtuous and good-hearted Macduff. He handles the scene in which he learns the fate of his family by going inward and contrasting the violence with stillness. It’s a powerful moment.”
Given Kent’s expertise in stage fighting and Mueller’s elastic-limbed lightness of foot, you expect sharp, fast physical humor, and you get it.
But The Lieutenant of Inishmore doesn’t glorify violence; it exposes it as the last resort of stupid, mentally powerless people. I have to admit that all the ghoulish bloodletting does give a certain horrified pleasure — witness all the guilty, chuckling gasps emitted by the audience.
Among many fine performances in musicals this season, Geoffrey Kent’s Officer Lockstock stood out.
Particularly enjoyable is the duo of Geoffrey Kent, whose Officer Lockstock combines stiff-necked authoritativeness with gyrating physical looseness and the very talented Genevieve Baer as Little Sally, resisting the temptation to parody a part thats pure parody in itself.
Belle and the Beast features some very strong performances, particularly Geoffrey Kent as the Beast. It’s his portrayal, along with the magical set, that really carries the evening.
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