Author: Eric Jensen, Managing Editor
Amid the turbulence of modern progressive productions rife with experimental methodology, A Noise Within Classical Theater Company’s straightforward, clean rendition of Waiting for Godot is a breath of fresh air. Shows that push the boundaries of tradition do have their place in the world of theater, but the company’s focus on classical conventions of the stage proves that a basic set and solid acting are still enough to captivate a contemporary audience.
Sandwiched between generic storefronts on the bustling Brand Boulevard in Glendale, A Noise Within brings startling but welcome culture to an otherwise typical city block. It has made its home in the historic Masonic Temple Building, whose castle-like construction and worn brick walls give it an urban Rapunzel vibe. As playgoers make the three-story climb to the theater itself, the walls chronicle the company’s prior productions, crowded with framed press photos of such classics as Cat on a Hot Tin Roof and Macbeth. The air is thick with history, enough to catapult viewers backwards into Samuel Beckett’s early 1900s world by the time they hit the third floor.
The medium-sized theater was clearly built for versatility. Rather than affixed, cushioned seats, the house is composed of folding chairs and various platforms, so that seating can be configured to fit the needs of each production. In Waiting for Godot’s case, it was a thrust arrangement, with the audience surrounding the stage on three sides. The set was refreshingly basic, positioned against a vaguely wilderness-related backdrop and a foreground made simply to look like the outdoors, with nothing more than a rock platform and a bare tree. The raw, stripped-down environment radiated the feel of serious, professional theater.
Beckett’s Waiting for Godot, while hailed by many as one of the most moving plays of his generation, is notoriously difficult to produce. The story of Estragon and Vladimir (nicknamed Gogo and Didi), two shabby drifters out in the wilderness waiting for the vague character of Godot, is a commentary on how humans find meaning in life through the process of seeking, regardless of whether this ever ends in success. The script’s concept relies heavily on the development of the relationship between its two protagonists, a delicate combination that often causes productions to fall flat.
But A Noise Within’s cast did an excellent job navigating the script’s depth and complexity. The plain set provided the actors with an open canvas to construct Beckett’s particular brand of reality, which they utilized brilliantly. Four of the five cast members are classically trained professionals, and their experience was evident in their performance, from the alarming realism of the slave Lucky’s wheezing and drooling to the booming grandiosity of Pozzo, Lucky’s owner. The actors playing Gogo and Didi managed a genuine portrayal of the relationship between the two characters, drawing tremendous emotion and meaning into the dialogue. The production did Beckett’s writing justice, and it was a real treat to experience such an ingenious piece of writing staged so deftly.
Luckily for Oxy students, A Noise Within is going to great lengths to make their classical productions accessible. “A Noise Within wants to make sure that Professional Theater is available to all ages and income levels,” Marketing Director Nora Frankovich said. “We offer students a lot of ways to see our performances.” These include a lowered student rate for groups of 10 or more, and student rush tickets for $16 (as opposed to typical prices of $36-40), available half-an-hour before curtain. The theater also offers students the opportunity to volunteer as ushers to view the shows for free.
While A Noise Within is a fabulous establishment, their location is not so fabulous—parking difficulties landed my friend and I in late seating for the show, and although it ended up getting us closer to the aisles where the actors made their entrances and exits, it caused a lot of undue stress. I’d recommend arriving early to find parking on the street. There is also parking available at the mall one-and-a-half blocks away. Validation is available at the Concession Booth next to the theater.
To find out more about A Noise Within and their 2007-2008 season, visit www.ANoiseWithin.org.
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