Hudson
Valley Shakespeare Festival
By Ross Rice
This
place has more than just a view; this is a bona de vista. People
are encouraged to bring picnics to enjoy pre-performance. Strolling
groups, with and without baskets and blankets, enjoy the open space,
while the lights on West Point on the opposite shore start winking
on as the sun sneaks down behind the Hudson Highlands. Suddenly,
a clanging bell sounds forth, and your attention is directed toward
the enormous white tent about 300 feet from the bluff’s edge.
Shufing through the line for refreshments (beer, wine, sodas...
also wraps, cookies, Cheetos!,) and on into the big top. The rst
thing you notice when you get to your seat is the lack of any kind
of stage set. There is a sense of circus atmosphere, with well-placed
tentpoles and lighting rigs, and sawdust on the stage oor. And
in the background, the enormous eld leading up to the edge, the
hills and clouds in the distance. The clouds that are suddenly looking
like impending storm material. Looks like a good night for back-stabbing
and power-grabbing. Onstage tonight: Richard III.
Greetings and announcements from a cast member break the ice. Patrons
are politely asked to turn off cell phones (in spite of this admonition,
somebody’s phone goes off several times during the performance.
Why does that happen so often?) Lights down, and then off in the
distance, motion. A tasteful slow groove issues from the speakers,
with an electronic tribal feel. The cast appears from over the eld’s
edge, slowly making their way as a group across the eld toward
the proscenium, in time with the music. It’s an arresting
image. As they enter the shelter of the tent, they fan out across
the space, stop, and make almost deant eye contact with the audience.
They then turn around, le out, and it’s on with the show.
The point is well made: attention must be paid...CONTINUE...
|
