Theatre Review

Masterful production of pinter's 'Homecoming' at Epic

By Don Fowler
Posted 4/26/17

Theatre Review By DON FOWLER British Playwright Harold Pinter's dark and intense look at a totally dysfunctional family is a gem in the world of theatre. Critics, scholars and audiences around the world have studied, dissected and found different

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Theatre Review

Masterful production of pinter's 'Homecoming' at Epic

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British Playwright Harold Pinter’s dark and intense look at a totally dysfunctional family is a gem in the world of theatre.

Critics, scholars and audiences around the world have studied, dissected and found different meanings in his plays, and “The Homecoming” is no exception.

Director Kate Lester has taken this classic play, placed it in the intimate setting of Cranston’s Theatre 82, filled it with furniture the Salvation Army would reject, gathered a cast of six outstanding actors, and provided audiences with an unforgettable production.

On the surface, “The Homecoming” is a pretty basic play about the elder son returning to his boyhood home to introduce his wife to his father, uncle and two brothers. It turns out to be quite a homecoming, as secrets are revealed, power is challenged and resentments run deep.

Geoff Leathem plays Max, the patriarch of the family, an overbearing, mean-spirited former butcher and widower who revels in deriding his brother and his sons.

Rudy Sanda gives an eerie, intensive, almost frightening portrayal of Lenny, shouting out his opinions and challenging everyone around him with his cutting sarcasm. Justin Pimental plays Joey, the other son, the least imposing character who wants to be a boxing champ. Geoff White gives an incredible performance as Sam, the feeble, nervous uncle whose claim to fame is being a popular chauffer. Sam has a secret involving Max’s deceased wife.

The sign of a good actor is how he reacts when he is on stage during a scene, when all eyes are on others. White is never out of character, his eyes rolling, his facial tics and body language reacting to what is going on around him. Ryan Stevenson is Teddy, the eldest son who returns after six years as a philosophy professor in America. Teddy has brought his wife, leaving his three sons behind, to meet the family. Enter Ruth (Hannah Lum), a beautiful, sexy temptress who eventually turns the family upside down.

Where did Teddy find her? How did a frumpy college professor end up with this kind of woman?

The play grows to a feverish pitch as Ruth takes on the crew, shifting the control of power with both subtle and blatant moves, resulting in one heck of a conclusion.

Pinter’s language is exquisite. Words are used as weapons, and people are challenged and hurt. Pinter uses many British expressions many with sexual overtones that are not hard to figure out. You will leave the theatre emotionally exhausted but knowing you have seen theatre at its best.

“The Homecoming” is at Epic Theatre, located in the Artists’ Exchange nonprofit community arts collaborative at 50 Rolfe Square, Cranston through April 30. Check them out online at www.epictheatre.org or call 490-9475 for reservations.

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