The Gorilla Theatre
Tampa, FL
November 8, 2009
When we travel to new places like New York City or Chicago, sometimes the best place to get a real sense of the city is where you never thought possible. “Where should I grab some lunch” you may ask a friend, and what do they always say? “Go to the smallest hole in the wall joint and get in line because they know what’s up.” In a sense of local theatre here in the Tampa area I would have to tip my hat to the Gorilla Theatre. Tucked away in the shadows of Raymond James stadium and Steinbrenner Field, the Gorilla Theatre quietly is making strides to provide high quality entertainment in an intimate and up close setting.
“The Woman in Black” is a chilling tale that follows the rehearsal of an actor and a writer who recount a couple nights at the Estate of a reclusive woman. Arthur Kipps (Christopher Rutherford) enlists the assistance of actor (Glenn Gover) to tell a ghost story. Although not one for ghost stories, Kipps decides to tell the only one he knows, a true account. Bright eyed and bushy tailed, Kipps arrives at the house to sort through papers to find the house may have more than meets the eye.
Brilliantly scripted and performed, Christopher Rutherford and Glenn Gover execute a fantastic production.
Glenn Gover ability to change characters on a dime is a testament to quality acting. I counted roughly eight different characters for Gover over the course of the play. For as much as Gover changes his character, you would think you would get lost along the way. Thanks in part to slight costume changes and chameleon like transition, Gover’s character changes are believable and uncompromising.
Christopher Rutherford’s fiery passion on stage was palpable. His ability to look as if he’s about to cry in one scene to seem like nothing had ever phased him within seconds is proof positive to the caliber of actor the Gorilla Theatre entrusts with their productions.
I was blown away by the quality of production the Gorilla Theatre presented. To be brutally honest, when I only saw two actors listed on the playbill I raised a questioned eyebrow. I was a little lost to begin with. I had a hard time following which actor was playing what role, up until they made it to the woman’s house. I applaud their use of space. Using prosceniums as doors, a rolling trunk as a train and a horse drawn carriage. Very imaginative. The Woman in Black kept bringing herself into the scene at key moments to further drive our protagonist out of his mind.
The brilliant use of lights and sounds was as precise as I’ve seen in quite some time. Some examples:
Kipps searches the house for light, he reaches into the air and pulls a light switch. As if the light were there, the stage illuminates. Great timing.
One scene where the sun was setting stage left and the moon was in full array stage right. Phenomenal lighting techniques.
Fantastic use of scrim. The scrim was painted with a woman’s face. One scene all goes dark and all we see are the eyes of the woman watching over Kipps as he sleeps. Another scene, the scrim shows the woman in a rocking chair in a study of sorts.
Amazing uses of sounds: horses trotting, trains, street corners and a carnival. This wonderful stimulation helped suspend our disbelief further to fall into the story.
All in all, this was a polished production that was on point. Simply put. A tech heavy show executed to perfection. As great as the acting was in this show, I have to send my adoration to the technical crew. Their use of light and sound intertwined seamlessly with dialogue and stage direction is second to none thus far. I’m looking forward to Gorilla’s “Christmas Trio” playing in December, and you should be too.
For more information on the Gorilla Theatre and future productions, please contact them at 813.354.0550 or www.gorillatheatre.com
Music of the Post - circa survive
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