The Madness of Edgar Allan Poe
Yesterday I had the opportunity to see the last performance
of “The Madness of Edgar Allan Poe: A Love Story”; a memorable production with poignant
and melancholic yet witty concept! Mesmerized by the haunting opening scene
with "The Bells", crafted with the use of effective sounds, in an atmospheric
space, I was immersed completely into the world of the poet I respect since my
teenage years! The repetition of words,
the alliteration and onomatopoeia, the musical imagery, the rhythm of the night,
the repeated chiming of the bells throughout the scene, created melodious rhythm,
mood and narrative where they all build up a profound, distinct engaging
atmosphere.
With creative use of space in Historic Cheney Mansion, actors led
the audience members in a journey from room to room, and floor to floor to experience Poe’s evocative/complex stories of fear, horror and love.
Each room emphasizes the experience of a
story by Poe on the essence of imprisonment, religious fundamentalism, sickness,
murder and love, from “The Telltale Heart” to “The Pit and the Pendulum”.
The essence of each scene shows the unique collaboration between the playwright,
director, actors in relation with the space. The scenes are also reminiscent of stories by Dostoevsky,
Kafka, Fernando Pessoa and George Bushner.
The method of using space, reminded me of Anne Bogart’s
workshops on acting technique, directing and engaging experiences. It was fascinatingly reminiscent to
see how the actors in in this show, used their body in
time and space to create a meaningful experience.
All six scenes are enormously memorable. In addition to the
theatrical elements, the use of light, sound, setting, music and poetic
imagery in scenes such as Virginia in the specious tea room, the prisoner, the murder
of the old man, and the presence of "Ligeia", specify a creative approach
to poetic cinema such as Jean Cocteau’s!
Actors; especially Christian Gray as Poe and Erica Bittner as
his wife Virginia were sensational with their superb acting and singularities.
Not to forget to mention the presence of Kevin Tre’Von Patterson as the witty Fortunato/Monk…
‘The Madness of Edgar Allan Poe: A Love Story’
When: Oct. 24- Nov. 17
Where: Oak Park Festival Theatre, Cheney Mansion, 220
N. Euclid Ave., Oak Park
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