“It was the best of times; it was the worst of times.”
There are very few people who do not know that this famous line opens Charles Dickens’ epic novel, “A Tale of Two Cities.” Those of us who read the novel in high school or college may remember bits and pieces of the historical love story, but it sure will help if you arrive a few minutes early and read Audrey Rowland’s synopsis on page 7 of the program.
You enter the upstairs Chace theatre and are overwhelmed by Eugene Lee’s replica of the Providence Athenaeum with its two levels containing hundreds of books, as the musicians and large cast set the stage for over two hours of intense theatre.
Brian McEleny has spent over two years bringing Dickens’ novel to the stage, finding the high points and making it both intimate and broad, using the narrative at times to transition the numerous scenes.
I must admit to getting lost a few times and being occasionally overwhelmed by the action, but then, thanks to some clever direction by Tyler Dobrowsky, being pulled back in to the sweeping story.
McEleney not only controlled the script, but also plays the central character of Dr. Manette, released from prison after 18 years and reunited with his daughter (Rebecca Gibel).
Dr. Manette suffers from what we today would call Alzheimer’s, slipping in and out of reality but coming through at critical moments.
The story concerns the haves and have-nots of England and France, where conflicts are solved by chopping off heads. At the center is the love story between Lucie and Charles Darnay (Taavon Gamble) and the rivalry between Darnay and his look-alike, Sydney Carton (Daniel Duque-Estrada), two relatively new actors in the Trinity troupe who show great promise.
Act I closes with the storming of the Bastille, which is utter chaos, expressed on stage by the wrecking of the library and the tearing of pages from its books, which is quite symbolic, if a bit unnerving.
Once again, Trinity does a great job in mixing its veterans, like Stephen Berenson, Tim Crowe and Rachael Warren, with newcomers and its MFA program.
“A Tale of Two Cities” is at Trinity through March 22. Call 351-4242 for reservations.
Comments
No comments on this item Please log in to comment by clicking here