The Barker Poems: Gary the Thief and Plevna: Meditations on Hatred
Robert Windeler
July 21, 2010: "Poem" is the operative word here. British playwright Howard Barker is offering up two blank-verse ruminations, each recited by one man, together totaling little more than 50 minutes. Barker fans will find much to admire in his graceful and pointed use of language (occasionally a bit too cute) and meditative distance, even when the speakers seem at their most impassioned. Just don't expect anything like a play or two. Even Barker acknowledges the limitations of "the poet's horror at the fallibility of words." Director Richard Romagnoli, a longtime Barker collaborator, is on board with this, orchestrating just enough movement by his players without having them actually do much of anything other than recite. Technical credits, apart from the unobtrusive lighting by Hallie Zieselman, are virtually nonexistent, and the actors even appear to be self-costumed.
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