Lily Knight and Ron Bottita in
The Children at The Fountain Theatre
Photo by Jenny Graham
By Nyla Arslanian
The Children opens at The Fountain Theatre Perhaps we've just taken it for granted for so long-that exquisite experience of what we call "intimate" theatre. Settling in at The Fountain for a performance of
The Children, Lucy Kirkwood's Tony-nominated play, felt like coming home. The kitchen set by Andrew Hammer with prop design by Shen Heckel helped convey that feeling. However, it was that wonderful anticipation that always comes before a performance that I realized had been a very big missing for far too long.
Ron Bottita
Photo by Jenny Graham
As can sometimes happen as you sit so close to the play coming to life just a few feet away, Director Simon Levy and his spot-on cast delivered in the hour and forty-five minute, no intermission play, theatre magic when you forget that what you are witnessing is not real. Somehow, you've been transported to a small cottage on the East coast of England.
The long opening scene between the two women characters goes by at a fast clip. The English accents take a little while to adjust to, but you have no doubt that these two have some history and it's soon revealed that all are in crisis mode.
I questioned a bit of business thinking it was a directorial error when Rose (Elizabeth Elias Huffman) who has never been in the cottage before goes directly to a cupboard for a glass. I thought it odd until later in the play, Hazel (Lily Knight) comments to her husband Robin what had occurred. I may have missed the explanation, and am wondering what other mysteries I may have missed in the rapid fire, often amusing dialogue.
Elizabeth Elias Huffman and Lily Knight
Photo by Jenny Graham
the subject matter of a nuclear disaster and its aftermath is hardly lighthearted comedy, the superb cast, interaction between the characters and strong performance of Ron Bottita as Robin gave the play balance as the plot takes an interesting turn.
For a truly engaging evening (or Sunday afternoon), The Children absolutely delivers and what a joy it is to be back at Hollywood's favorite intimate theatre, The Fountain.
Performances of
The Children
take place
Nov. 6
through
Jan 23
on
Fridays
at
8 p.m
.;
Saturdays
at
8 p.m.
;
Sundays
at
2 p.m.
; and
Mondays
at
8 p.m.
(dark Dec. 20 through Jan.
7)
.