By snoadmin
With nudity, oppression and violence, the harsh enforcement of censorship is shown through the treatment of author the Marquis de Sade in “Quills.” This California Repertory Company production is presented in partnership with the campus wide censorship initiative, The B-Word Project, and written by playwright Doug Wright.
The B-Word Project has sponsored various department-wide events that deal with the topic of censorship. Like some of the other B-Word project events, this play explores the lengths some people will go to stifle unconventional artistic voices.
Guest director Larissa Paige Kokernot leads a brave cast through the story of the Marquis de Sade’s detention in the Charenton insane asylum. Written in 1995, this play takes place in 18th century France, with the vernacular and clothing set in this time period. Although it is spoken in an old dialect, the conversations are easy to follow. The dialogue has audience members laughing throughout the drama. The simple Rococo-styled and low yellowish lighting that emulates candlelight set the mood for this time piece.
The plot focuses on the Marquis de Sade (Jerry Prell) whose erotic and violent, yet also intriguing stories have gotten him in trouble with authorities in the insane asylum for their taboo content. Robert Prior plays Abbé de Coulmier, a priest of the ward and who — under pressure from the doctor — promises to stop the slanderous writing that procures from the mind of the Marquis.
The interactions between Prell and Prior are serious in context, but are hilarious in presentation. Each character is the antithesis of the other, which makes for a great drama. The Marquis argues that his work is based on the primal tendencies of humanity, while Coulmier fights for conventional morality in the name of God. Their chemistry on stage is alive with the passion of the subject.
The scenes between the two men are hilarious as the flamboyant Marquis torments the fragile priest with his relentless insinuations. Abbé works for censorship at any cost, while the Marquis goes to any means necessary to get his dramatic stories to the people.
Prell’s portrayal of the unrestrained libertine entices the audience. He relentlessly teases all of the characters that he comes into contact with. Most of his interactions are between Coulmier and a young seamstress named Madeleine Leclerc (Anna Steers). She represents the commoner and her complete fascination with the Marquis’s stories shows how its prohibited content was desirable to the common person.
The erotic stories match the grandiose character that Prell offers as the Marquis. His every motion embodies the movement of the teasing storyteller, and the way he toys with his castmates procures laughter from the audience. Even after he bares everything by stripping naked on-stage, Prell keeps the same pugnacious demeanor of the crazed writer.
In total contrast to the ostentatious Marquis, Prior’s portrayal of the delicate priest wins the audience’s sympathies with his subtle rendering of his subconscious battle. He is in battle between the need to stop the writings and to protect the morality of the people.
As Renée Pélagie, the wife of the Marquis, Sarah Underwood Saviano steals the scenes with her dramatic and hysterical presentation of the distraught woman. Her theatrical flair for drama has the audience laughing every time she is on stage.
The fundamental theme of censorship makes the audience question the presumed social convention that Coulmier is fighting for throughout the play. Leclrec demonstrates the people’s desire for the erotic writings, yet Coulmier does unthinkable acts to stop the writings from occurring.
Overall the play’s use of a simple Rococo-style of design matches with a dramatic flair in speech, and movement keeps the audience enthralled in the drama of the Marquis. Its comedic dialogue mixed with the violent and seductive stories capture the audience’s attention throughout the production.
“Quills” runs Feb. 17 through March 3; and March 6 through March 10 at 8 p.m. Tickets are $15 for students and $20 for general admission. The play is being shown at Royal Theatre aboard the Queen Mary, located at 1126 Queens Highway. For tickets and other information, visit calrep.org.
