Pagan Play

For some reason, this play had me at the postcard. Even so, I still walked into the Complex today with hesitation about how good a play could be when eleven people collaborated on everything--the script, the casting, the acting, the costumes, the direction--I mean, really. How can that all work together? The answer: amazingly. Beautifully. The set pieces were enough to tell me what kind of world we would be visiting, but each character was well-thought out, well written, and half the play seemed to sprout from a spontaneity which actually was just well-timed storytelling. I felt like I was being introduced to the Grimm Brothers' lost orphans, and I still can't pick my favorite. As magical as the world seemed to be, the relationships we... full review

COMPLETELY unique and like nothing I've ever seen before. Who would have thought that a world inhabited by ghouls as well as tourists, and witches as well as grocery store clerks could create such an interesting theatrical work. Due to this incredibly diverse array of characters, Pagan Play provokes laughter, tears, and complete intrigue. Thank you all for such a wonderful experience!... full review

It took a great deal of willpower not to leave the theatre early on this one. Take an under-developed plot, a mediocre "script," amateur acting, hordes of tedious (read = unnecessary) scene changes, and some movement that never took the leap from Viewpoints exercise to meaningful inclusion, and you have this 80 minute piece. Kudos on the attempt, but IMHO, Claire Kaplan's Queen and the few bits of poetic text that slipped in between the melodramatic line-readings were the only bits worth watching. I imagine it was a great exercise in democracy, creating Pagan, but that unfortunately does not good theatre-creation make. ... full review

I think this group of young actors has great potential. However, Pagan Play seems more like a class workshop rather than an actual production. The idea is there, but the story is not quite there yet. It feels like it is trying to be too much with no real focus. The rectangular set with sticks and leaves is great and very effective but the moving of each set piece for every single scene change makes the story drag on...and on. Costumes were interesting and creative and I personally loved music choices. Claire Kaplan as the Queen completely steals the show - a finely nuanced and wonderfully timed performance. I hope to see more work form her. There are a few moments of lovely and poetic text that should be kept as the basis for further... full review

A masterful ensemble. Smart. Beautiful. Quotable. Creative. Everyone knew where they were going [even when they didn't]. ... full review