This production features two plays, Party Time and The Lover. With their experience and fine acting skills, Susan Priver and Ron Bottitta steal the show.
Harold Pinter had the ability to describe the world with quirky characters in surreal and absurd environments. One example of this is Party Time, where the characters exhibit total indifference to the outside world while exalting the comfort of a private health club. The setting is an exclusive party by members of London’s high society. Their disregard to the street protests indicates how they see the world around them and the privilege of their social status.
The interaction that underlines the moral debacle of this group is the arguments between Terry (Paul Marius) and his wife Dusty (Michelle Ghatan). Terry berates Dusty when she raises her concerns about her brother Jimmy (John Coady), who seems to be one of the protestors. Pinter does not fully explain what is happening outside in the streets, but it seems that there is some kind of anarchy going around.
For this play, the acting looks a bit flat, there are some instances where the cast tried to spark some interest, but for the most part, it fell short. With the variety of characters and unusual sociopolitical undertones, this staging can stress the implied tension and menace in the text more significantly.
Priver and Bottitta, on the other hand, delivered a fantastic performance, exploring the nuances of a couple that engage in extramarital affairs with full consent, at least, apparently. Richard is seen leaving his house while asking Sarah if her lover is coming home to spend time with her. As time goes by, however, Richard seems conflicted about Sarah’s romantic liaisons. Despite this concern, the characters build up the sexual tension, raising the temperature in every scene.
And if the affairs alone make the situation look risqué, the bongos and leather jacket make whole cheating feel transgressive. As soon as Richard strikes the bongos, Sarah goes into trance, like a cobra swaying at the sound of an enchanting flute. The sexual response is sensual and funny, spicing up the resolution of the play. Director Jack Heller uses the blocking to heighten the comedic effect. He moves the actors around to create kinetics, livening up the story and the characters; a masterful use of space and movement. If you add Priver and Bottitta’s stage experience, you get a delightful spectacle to honor the whimsicality of Pinter’s writing.
Sex, Lies, and Harold Pinter
Party Time and The Lover
A Visiting Production at the
Odyssey Theatre
2055 S. Sepulveda Blvd.
Los Angeles CA 90025
March 20 – April 26
Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m. / Sundays at 3 p.m.
Tickets: odysseytheatre.com
Written by Harold Pinter. Directed by Jack Heller. Produced by Brian Foyster and Christina Hart. Presented as a Visiting Production at the Odyssey Theatre.
Starring Ron Bottitta, John Coady, Larry Eisenberg, Michelle Ghatan, Brenda James, Isaac W. Jay, Paul Marius, Michelle McGregor, Christopher Louis Parker, Susan Priver, Mouchette Van Helsdingen.
Creative team: Scenic designer Joel Daavid, lighting designer Gavan Wyrick, sound designer Christopher Moscatiello, costume designer Shon LeBlanc, and properties designer Sofia Alejandra Gonzalez. The stage manager is Valeria Ruuva.
