Theatre Review

Starry Night Theatre's 'Vincent' shines bright at AS220

Don Fowler
Posted 1/22/15

It has been a while since we have seen a production at the former Perishable Black Box Theatre, now under the aegis of AS220, which has turned it over to Starry Night Theatre Company for their …

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Theatre Review

Starry Night Theatre's 'Vincent' shines bright at AS220

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It has been a while since we have seen a production at the former Perishable Black Box Theatre, now under the aegis of AS220, which has turned it over to Starry Night Theatre Company for their production of Leonard Nimoys “Vincent.”

Yes, that’s Leonard Nimoy of “Star Trek” fame, who is also an accomplished author/playwright, having written this one-man/one-act play about Vincent van Gogh as told by his brother, Theo.

James Briggs has played the role over 100 times, along with his director, Dr. Brant Pope, most recently to sold-out audiences at URI.

The writing and the performance is near perfect, as Briggs is in complete control of his character, occasionally slipping into the persona of Vincent. In the background, on a large screen, over 100 paintings of van Gogh are projected, including a collage of his later works.

Nimoy has constructed the play, which runs a little over an hour, from over 100 letters that Vincent had written to his brother.

One-person plays are difficult to pull off, but the careful, clever collaboration of writer, director and actor make “Vincent” so engaging that I could have sat there for more.

We are exposed to many facts about Vincent and Theo that we already know, plus many insights into how and why. There’s the infamous tale of Vincent cutting off his ear, being proclaimed mad by townsfolk and fellow artists, begging for money from his merchant brother, living in poverty, devoting himself to helping the less fortunate, and his desire for love from unusual places.

This is one compelling piece of theatre that is well worth seeing, and at $24 ($20 for seniors and students) it is well worth the price.

“Vincent” will be presented at AS220’s Black Box Theatre, 95 Empire St., around the corner from Trinity, January 22-25. Call 344-0240 for reservations.

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