"A Short Trip" at The New York International Fringe Festival
“A Short Trip” Written by Jason Atkinson Directed by Christopher Strafford Reviewed by Joseph Verlezza Theatre Reviews Limited
An aberrant love story is being told at the Kraine Theater as part of the New York International Fringe Festival. The title “A Short Trip” refers to the two week vacation to Rome, Italy by Rosemary, devoted wife of Harry for fifty years. The problem: Harry is not invited. Themes that might be addressed during this personal journey of half century are made available to the audience in flashbacks of important events that had occurred in the past. Their core erupts and their lives are shaken by the relentless intrusion of their differences. At the center of this turmoil is Harry’s disbelief in God, which devastates Rosemary, who was ready to begin her novitiate before their first meeting and does not discover Harry’s lack of faith until she is pregnant with their first child. Why did she stick around for fifty years? If you are a Roman Catholic you know, if not just ask one. Everything is fine. Attending church, raising good catholic children and never spending any time apart. Or is it?
Where the play ignites is in the present when all flickering conflicts unite and begin to fuel the blazing fire of independence. Forego the flashbacks and the present action requires a mere few months, a thin slice of personal lives, introspective and endearing. As Rosemary strives for independence and overcomes her fear, Harry in turn struggles and is forced to face the truth. As the relationship still evolves after fifty years, the playwright examines beliefs and excavates their deeply rooted feelings to the surface and exposes their existing souls. Rosemary and Harry are not drifting apart but are connecting, getting stronger and hopefully accepting the challenge of attaining their dreams, which takes courage at any age.
This play is not action-packed but emotionally charged with a valid core that does not succumb to the weaknesses of sentimentality. All the actors are able to sustain the material and deftly create believable characters. Lucy Cottrell and Josh Gulotta are energetic and informative in flashback scenes. It is Asta Hansen and Richard Cottrell who embody their characters so deeply that the audience feels they might be eavesdropping on their simple everyday routines but are actually peering into their precarious situation. These two actors provide character studies filled with warmth, honesty and detail that reinforce this tangible love story. This “Short Trip” is one worth taking with more than enough soul searching sights to attract most theatergoers.
A SHORT TRIP
Presented by The English Theatre of Rome and NY International Fringe Festival. Written by Jason Atkinson; Directed by Christopher Staffoord; Lighting by Amith Chandrashaker.
WITH: Asta Hansen as Rosemary, Richard Cottrell as Harry, Lucy Cottrell as Young Rosemary and Josh Gulotta as Young Harry.
Permalink | Posted by David Roberts on Monday, August 27, 2012
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