Seascape

Hilberry Theatre, Wed.-Sat., July 28-Aug. 14 starring Michael (uilen, Harper McAdoo, George Kappa, Deborah Pietruska: wrilten by Edward Albee.

In Act II of Seascape, Leslie, a lizard, asks Charlie, a human, to elaborate on the definition of evolution.

"What are you talking about?" Leslie asks, and Charlie replies, "I guess I'm just rambling on, trying to make a point." And thus it is with the play: rambling on, trying to make a point.

Edward Albee in Seascape unsuccessfully tries to create a serene, philosophical version of his highly-acclaimed Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?, using the same formula of two couples who debate over their varying lifestyles and, in so doing, provide a microscopic analysis of married life. But the situation in Seascape is just too far-fetched for this reviewer.

A middle-aged couple picnicking by the shore, Nancy and Charlie, reminisce about childhood feats and dreams. Nancy, spunky and artistic, tries to stimulate Charlie by suggesting they become seaside nomads and return to youthful play. Charlie is content smoking a pipe and "doing nothing." Leslie and Sarah, reptiles, alarmingly invade their privacy, and the two couples, different only in appearance and speech, compare lifestyles.

The first act takes off humorously, with Nancy chiding Charlie about his inertia. But the second act disappointingly bogs down in unnecessary probing explanations about children, evolution and feelings. You sit waiting for a point to be made, but it never is.

The Hilberry production and acting has always been first class and they don't fail to deliver again, at least as much as the play allows them to. Sound effects were superb, the costuming unique, the acting and staging impressive. Unfortunately, the players fall into a frustrating web in the second act because of stale lines and pointless plot.

For my money, Seascape is basically a wasted exercise. Maybe I've just been spoiled by Virginia Woolf.

–Sally Wright