Community Archived Reviews Separate Tables
KDHX Theatre Review - Separate Tables
Act Inc
Reviewed by Laura Kyro
The title of Separate Tables, a 1954 play by British writer Terence Rattigan, seems very apt for this production. Not only does it describe the dining room seating arrangements at the British seaside Beauregard Hotel, but also the division of the play into wholly separate Acts. What I mean is that although both Acts take place in the same setting, and utilize many of the same characters, they seem entirely separate productions.
Act 1 introduces us to permanent and temporary residents of the Beauregard. Characterization is inadequate, however, to reveal more than that most of the residents are nosy busybodies. The dramatic focus is on the love affair between the Hotel owner, Pat Cooper (Liz Hopefl), and alcoholic newspaper reporter John Malcolm (Tom McAtee), which is shattered when John's former wife, Ann Shankland (Deborah Sharn) shows up to take him back after the recent ending of her second failed marriage. In performance, the feel of this act is stiff, one-dimensional, and on the whole, uninteresting. The unhelpful dialogue makes it hard to understand what Ann's true motive is in wanting to get John back, and we never see any passion between lovers Pat and John. Yet, in one way, you might say the act was successful in exhibiting classic "British Reserve."
It is in Act 2 - taking place almost two years later - that the play comes to life with the arrival on stage of Hotel tenant Major Pollack (Chuck Lavazzi). From that point on we are treated to fully realized character studies of the tenants that are interesting and enjoyable, and an understandable story line. The focus in this act is on Major Pollack's shocking behavior (that today wouldn't raise an eyebrow) at a local cinema, and reactions from the other residents at the Hotel. Vehement castigation is voiced by Mrs. Railton-Bell (Nancy Lewis), the resident "upper-class snob," who bullies others-her timid companion Lady Matheson (Mary Klein), former school-master Mr. Fowler (John Harrington Smith), and new mother Jean Tanner (Colleen Backer)-into calling for eviction of the Major. The voices of reason regarding the affair come from Pat Cooper, who refuses to evict him, and Hotel residents Miss Meacham (Teresa Doggett), medical student Charles Stratton (Jacob Branch), and Railton-Bell's grown and yet painfully sheltered daughter, Sybil, who likes Major Pollack and finally stands up to "Mummy." Encouraged by Pat and soul mate Sybil, Pollack decides to stay-a quite satisfactory conclusion.
Director Lynn Rathbone decided that this play required an in-the-round setting, which was on the whole successful, but did mean a lot of missed facial expressions, and some voices were not raised enough to compensate. Costumes, by Russ Bettlach, were excellent, and nice period music by Tricia Bakula punctuated the breaks. Lighting was by Mike Sullivan.
Despite the unevenness in the success of the two "separate" Acts, there were some very nice performances and the audience provided enthusiastic applause, walking away at the end of the night with smiles on their faces.
Separate Tables appears in repertory with Alice Sit-by-the-Fire in Fontbonne University's Fine Arts Theatre through July 31, 2005. Call 314-725-9108 for more information.
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