Stockbridge Theatre
Derry, NH (2011)
Known for some dramatic pieces such as Amadeus and Eqqus, Peter Shaffer’s Black Comedy gave me an interesting look into the playwright’s comedic side. The play is farcical yet it is far from being lowbrow. Shaffer’s comedic timing is rather witty and his characters portray a more modern version of the British upper class.
His innovation in this play was the use of lighting. The confusion he played on me was interesting, all dark and every character could see each other but when the blackout happens, the theatre lights go on and the farce ultimately begins.
This comedy is very demanding of the actor and requires well-crafted blocking in order to elevate the audience from the repetitiveness nature of the situation. The characters who enter after the black out provide Brindsley with more anxiety which therefore makes him more farcical and goofy.
Overall, I found it funny but it did lack that profound substance that Shaffer employs so well in his other pieces.
volentintheatre 