Uneasy alliances in new Caryl Churchill play
by Michael Sommers/Star-Ledger StaffSunday March 16, 2008, 8:00 PM
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| Samuel West, left, and Scott Cohen star in "Drunk Enough to Say I Love You?" at the Public Theater. |
Drunk Enough to Say I Love You? Where: Public Theater, 425 Lafayette St., New York. When: Through April 6. 7 p.m. Tuesdays; 8 p.m. Wednesdays-Saturdays; 2 p.m. Saturdays; 3 and 7 p.m. Sundays. How much: $50. Call (212) 967-7555 or visit publictheater.org.
NEW YORK -- Obviously mutually attracted, two good-looking men lean toward each other on a couch and start talking really dirty -- about military campaigns, covert operations, torture, trade agreements and the control of outer space, among other issues.
Representing the relationship between the United States and Great Britain in recent years, these figures share a rocky romance in Caryl Churchill's short, sharp, satirical allegory "Drunk Enough to Say I Love You?"
Running merely 45 minutes in length -- but running mighty deep in sardonic contents -- the play opened tonight at the Public Theater.
The genius British author of many terrific plays, ranging from the sexy "Cloud Nine" to the scary "The Skriker," Churchill never ceases to surprise viewers with the subjects she chooses to dramatize and the different styles she employs.
Abstract in approach yet meaningful in substance, her latest work is no exception.
"Drunk Enough to Say I Love You?" consists of a swift series of eight short scenes. Each scene is devoted to a particular topic relating to U.S.-U.K. global policies. Each is crafted in brief, elliptical exchanges between the characters.
Sam (Scott Cohen) is the assured, reckless guy in jeans. Guy (Samuel West) is a tad more refined in manner, wearing a sports coat and flannels. The couch they share floats somewhere in blackness and is presented as a living picture within a gilt frame of light bulbs.
Based on their past together, the two appear intimate from the get-go as they speak of manipulating other nations covertly or through economic or military means. But eventually their dangerous liaison goes terribly wrong.
"No no no the towers," cries Sam. "Wow," exclaims Guy.
"Evil," declares Sam. "OK?" ponders Guy.
"Hate me because I'm so good," states Sam. "All of these terrorists suddenly," wonders Guy.
"Make everyone love me because it's only the evildoers who hate me," demands Sam.
Talk of torture and troubles ensues. Concluding in a litany of natural disasters, the former allies are depicted at last by Churchill as estranged and bitter, yet still hopelessly dependent on each other.
The points Churchill makes surely will satisfy many liberal-minded viewers willing to go along with the playwright's symbolic representation of these matters.
The production is directed by James Macdonald, who staged the play's world premiere at the Royal Court Theatre in London (and will also direct Manhattan Theatre Club's Broadway revival of Churchill's "Top Girls" next month). In league with his first-rate actors and designers, Macdonald offers a brisk and assured presentation of this polemic comedy.
Michael Sommers may be reached at msommers@starledger.com or (212) 790-4434.
NJ.com
NEW YORK -- Obviously mutually attracted, two good-looking men lean toward each other on a couch and start talking really dirty -- about military campaigns, covert operations, torture, trade agreements and the control of outer space, among other issues.
Representing the relationship between the United States and Great Britain in recent years, these figures share a rocky romance in Caryl Churchill's short, sharp, satirical allegory "Drunk Enough to Say I Love You?"
Running merely 45 minutes in length -- but running mighty deep in sardonic contents -- the play opened tonight at the Public Theater.
The genius British author of many terrific plays, ranging from the sexy "Cloud Nine" to the scary "The Skriker," Churchill never ceases to surprise viewers with the subjects she chooses to dramatize and the different styles she employs.
Abstract in approach yet meaningful in substance, her latest work is no exception.
"Drunk Enough to Say I Love You?" consists of a swift series of eight short scenes. Each scene is devoted to a particular topic relating to U.S.-U.K. global policies. Each is crafted in brief, elliptical exchanges between the characters.
Sam (Scott Cohen) is the assured, reckless guy in jeans. Guy (Samuel West) is a tad more refined in manner, wearing a sports coat and flannels. The couch they share floats somewhere in blackness and is presented as a living picture within a gilt frame of light bulbs.
Based on their past together, the two appear intimate from the get-go as they speak of manipulating other nations covertly or through economic or military means. But eventually their dangerous liaison goes terribly wrong.
"No no no the towers," cries Sam. "Wow," exclaims Guy.
"Evil," declares Sam. "OK?" ponders Guy.
"Hate me because I'm so good," states Sam. "All of these terrorists suddenly," wonders Guy.
"Make everyone love me because it's only the evildoers who hate me," demands Sam.
Talk of torture and troubles ensues. Concluding in a litany of natural disasters, the former allies are depicted at last by Churchill as estranged and bitter, yet still hopelessly dependent on each other.
The points Churchill makes surely will satisfy many liberal-minded viewers willing to go along with the playwright's symbolic representation of these matters.
The production is directed by James Macdonald, who staged the play's world premiere at the Royal Court Theatre in London (and will also direct Manhattan Theatre Club's Broadway revival of Churchill's "Top Girls" next month). In league with his first-rate actors and designers, Macdonald offers a brisk and assured presentation of this polemic comedy.
Michael Sommers may be reached at msommers@starledger.com or (212) 790-4434.
NJ.com
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