Theatrical Review: “The Thwarting of Baron Bolligrew”

Theatrical Review: “The Thwarting of Baron Bolligrew”
Written by: Robert Bolt
Directed by: Jan Julia
Theatrical Review by: Paul Adam Smeltz

The Shawnee Playhouse in Shawnee on the Delaware, PA presented The Kaleidoscope Players’ production of “The Thwarting of Baron Bolligrew” written by Robert Bolt. The Kaleidoscope Players has gained a well earned reputation of presenting some of the most compelling theatre of the highest qualities associated with the art form in the area. Yet, while leaving the theater after viewing this production, I began contemplating writing a very short review. After all, there are just so many ways one can say, “I didn’t like it.”

However, when I arrived home, I decided to look deeper into the play by researching it and its author. I did this because I could not reconcile the theatrical experiences I’ve enjoyed during previous Kaleidoscope Players’ productions with this one. This is what I discovered.

The Royal Shakespeare Company commissioned Robert Bolt to write “The Thwarting of Baron Bolligrew” to be performed during the 1964 Christmas season as a children’s play. Robert Bolt inserted many of the themes found in his overall work such as integrity and honor into the play but he also employed many theatrical techniques which originated from Bertolt Brecht who is well known for creating plays which remind his audience the play they’re watching was a representation of reality and not reality itself and their reality was as equally susceptible to change as the one they were witnessing on stage. It was presented on the BBC and featured Leo McKern in the title role. The play was to become a perennial seasonal presentation into the 70s.

While this information didn’t cause me to fall in love with the production I saw, it did lend some insight which allowed me to appreciate the work and its place in the theatrical arts. Still, this appreciation is somewhat hind sighted and didn’t come without going outside the live theatrical experience to obtain. It’s unfortunate it couldn’t have been gained while I was watching it in the theater.

Part of this may have been due to the play being advertised as a Featured Show and not as Children’s theater as it was created to be. True, the production was widely promoted as “Family Friendly” but there is (in this reviewer’s opinion) a difference between a play in which the whole family can enjoy and a play specifically written for children. In the later, the theatrical experience for an adult can be enhanced by the sound of children laughing but it can become rather dull when a childless silence is present.

In this reviewer’s opinion, if “The Thwarting of Baron Bolligrew” would have been placed on The Shawnee Playhouse’s Children’s Theater Schedule, parents would have brought their children and the experience would have been a much more enjoyable one. Instead, much of the childlike simplicity embodied in the characters couldn’t make the transition it needed to make in order for an adult audience to find it adequately amusing enough to offer a genuine laugh. It might have worked if the production was a parody of fairy tale themes presented through a “Yeah Right” point of view, but there was very little of this in the production.

“The Thwarting of Baron Bolligrew” by Robert Bolt takes place in a “Magical Fairy Tale Place” and begins in the castle owned by a Duchess as portrayed by Nicole Dietze (who also portrays a Magical Bird). She summons her knights as portrayed by Brian Bollinger (who also portrays a corporal, Man-At-Arms, and a Magical Bird), Kevin Hillman (who also portrays a peasant), Jeff Aiello (who also served to help provide props and costumes for the production), Chayton Meeks-Owen (who also portrays a Chef, a Peasant, and a Magical Bird), and Angelo Revilla III (who also portrays the Lord Mayor and the Royal Captain while also serving to help provide props for the production) to share the spoils of their victories over the local dragons. The last and (by some accounts among the company) the least of the knights named “Sir Oblong Fitz Oblong” as portrayed by Robin Kessler (who also served to help provide publicity for the production) enters the court to offer his meager signs of his accompishments.

As the company begins to wonder what they should do next, Sir Oblong suggests they move to other areas searching for new adventures. This displeases the company and they all vote against the idea. However, Sir Oblong reminds them all votes must be unanimous and his suggestion must be taken up by a higher court to be decided upon. The Duchess sends him out of the room for an errand and, while gone, the company decides to send him to the Bolligrew Islands so he’ll be out of the way.

Upon arriving at the Bolligrew Islands, Sir Oblong encounters Jasper - The 15th Baron of Bolligrew as portrayed by Renard Cohen and his henchman Squire Blackhart as portrayed by Mark Pender. He soon discovers corruption and mistreatment of the peasants is abundant and resolves to  make things right. The first task he endeavors upon is to rebuild the church which is in ruins. He does this with the help of Maggie Magpie as portrayed by Taylor Austin, Obidiah Bobblenob as portrayed by Marissa Phillips and the peasants who include Nicole Taylor (who also portrays a trumpet, a secretary, and a Magical Bird).

To thwart Sir Oblong’s plans and to rid the island of him, Baron of Bolligrew sends Squire Blackhart to provoke a dual with him. This initially fails but a fight does ensue with Sir Oblong being the victor. This calls for more direct measures and Dr. Beelzebub Morlock as portrayed by Ryan Moore (who also portrays a peasant and an Old Man along with serving to help provide publicity for the production) is hired. In the meantime, the dragon of the island whose voice is supplied by Don Slepian (who also provided sound and music for the production) sends a dire message saying he’s hungry. Other cast members include Olivia Cohen as Mazeppa Magpie and Captain Asquith and Holly Newcomb as the storyteller (who also served to help provide costumes for the production).

The Kaleidoscope Players is a local theatrical group led by Jan Julia. In addition to presenting plays at a variety of venues including schools, they offer opportunities for those interested in the theater to develop these interests into tangible skills. Their next production at The Shawnee Playhouse will be “Laugh Lines” to be presented from October 25th until November 3rd. Please Explore The Kaleidoscope Players’ Website at www.poconoplays.com for more information.

The Shawnee Playhouse presentation of The Kaleidoscope Players’ production of “The Thwarting of Baron Bolligrew” by Robert Bolt was Directed by Jan Julia and was Stage Managed by Lindsay Markus. The lighting and technical director was David Schappert. Amy Jo Shaefer helped to provide publicity while Jasmine Abrams helped to provide props for the production. Alex Heesemann served the production as part of its crew. The Kaleidoscope Players expressed special thanks to Amy Jo Shaefer, Midge McClosky, Missy Benefield, The Shawnee Playhouse Staff, Rev. Barry Howard and the All Souls Christian Center, Richard Rose, Mark Hamza and Sheila Stratton, Lisa Bollinger, Thomasina Meeks-Owens, Lori and Michael Austin, and Karin Diestler.

The producers of the productions presented at The Shawnee Playhouse are Ginny and Charlie Kirkwood while the group sales manager is Mary Horn. The Box Office Staff includes Chrissy McMannus while Becky Haskell serves as the playhouse’s Sales and Marketing Director. The Executive Director of The Shawnee Playhouse is Midge McClosky.

The Kaleidoscope Players production of “The Thwarting of Baron Bolligrew” by Robert Bolt will conclude its run at The Shawnee Playhouse in Shawnee on the Delaware, PA on April 1st. The work was meant to be a children’s play and it may be worth the $10 the theater charges for their Children’s Theater Show. Is it worth the $18 the theatre charges for their feature shows? Well…

Future shows to take place during The Shawnee Playhouse 2012 Season include The Prestige Productions presentation of “Love, Sex, and The I. R. S.” taking place April 6th - 15th, and The Center Stage Players production of “An Evening in Comedy” taking place April 20th - 29th, and “The Lion in Winter” taking place May 4th - 13th. In addition to these presentations, The Shawnee Playhouse continues to present the Shawnee Original Playwright Series (SOPS) Staged Readings featuring works of the finalist of their playwright competition in which audience members are able to select which plays presented will become full productions. The final Staged Readings will take place Friday March 30th.

Those who enjoy the Passionate Art Lover level of membership in The Forwardian Arts Society are offered a $3.00 discount off the admission fee of The Shawnee Playhouse Productions listed as Feature and Headline Shows. Please contact The Shawnee Playhouse at 570-421-5093 or Explore their website at www.theshawneeplayhouse.com for more information and to reserve your ticket.

Photograph provided by The Kaleidoscope Players.