Clifton Players is presenting the new work of The People in the Woods by Nancy Bell this September. Hot on a “rebuilding” season (last year featuring the premieres of Rose Vanden Eynden’s Ghost Girls and Zina Camblin’s The Guest) the Players are back at it with some familiar faces. Directed by Kevin Crowley, People tells the story of a couple who retreat into the woods in the interest of being survivalists – but like most seemingly good ideas, it does not go as planned.
The Production Team
Set in the vast main ballroom space of Liberty Exhibition Hall’s second floor (and not on the stage itself!), the audience is intimately close to the characters in their humble cabin. This is a smart choice as it allows for instant submersion into the solitude of the life our protagonists have chosen to live. The set is simple, yet wonderfully detailed: a storm door through which the characters pass and share conversations, a suspended window, corners of the cabin set marked off with log-like structures. The furniture is sparse, but functional as one might expect from survivalists – and nothing gives the air of shiny or brand new which is an important touch. Kudos to Set Design by Mr. Crowley and Kevin Kunz, especially for the creative use of bare Christmas trees.
Prop Master (as well as Technician and Backstage) Christine Dye harnesses a more than appropriate set of kitchenware, cooking aids, and other household objects. The beauty lies in both the simplicity and the variety of storage methods and “home-y” additions for built-in warmth. This isn’t a sterile place where you wouldn’t believe two people had been residing for many months. Excellent work all-around!
Performances
It is safe to say this reviewer isn’t the only one thrilled to see the McBrattons back on stage – and together, no less! The real-life married couple play James and Claire, a pair of lovers who flee the world “out there” after a traumatic experience in hope of surviving (in more ways than one). Carter Bratton is excellent as James, the would-be leader of this survivalist brigade. Mr. Bratton expertly portrays a man who is enthusiastic yet calm about this new path in life–and then just as expertly changes into a colder, more unfeeling version who is harder to champion.
Miranda McGee is flawless as Claire, a woman determined to be as pragmatic as her partner, but whose true emotions escape throughout the adventure. She makes Claire honest and utterly transparent while still trying to be a good sport along the way. Finally, Randy Bailey as Richard plays what is probably the most difficult role (if you can believe it). Richard is a seasoned survivalist and Mr. Bailey’s portrayal of what can happen to a human who lives on their own for 16 years is just perfection. His mastery of abbreviated dialogue and poor social interaction is exceptional.
The Script
Truth time: I am not the biggest fan of the script. I feel it could use some development and certainly some editing. There are several details which are misleading and/or never addressed in the end along with a self-indulgent and unnecessary appearance of a fox puppet. It may have worked for the telly show Fleabag, but it doesn’t work here.
The heart of the story is a good one: this is a study of how people react to trauma, how people can question if they are doing enough or too much, and if humanity’s lifespan is being shortened by our choices either way. However, there are certainly kinks in the text to be worked out. Despite a flawed script, the production itself is rife with talent and worth a trip to Northside.
See The People in the Woods
Clifton Players’ The People in the Woods runs now through September 21st at Liberty Exhibition Hall. Purchase tickets here. The performance runs about 1 hour 45 minutes, including a 15-minute intermission.
