Blood, Everywhere! By Sylvia S. Cutler, 1/14/98
Agnes of God, as presented by West End Dinner Theater with Holla Holla in a special series of performances, is an intellectually and emotionally stimulating play that leaves one moved and shaken, but with more questions than answers.
Agnes is a young nun who was found by her Mother Superior lying in her room, bloody and disheviled, with a dead newborn stuffed into a wastebasket. The girl seems not to have known that she was pregnant; has no recollection of having borne a child; denies having had anything to do with the dead baby. Accused of murder, the young woman is being examined by a court-appointed psychiatrist whose task it is to determine whether the girl is sane (and headed for prison), or insane (to end in a mental institution).
The Mother Superior is determined to protect the fragile young woman, just as determined as the psychiatrist is to dig out the truth.
If actors, actresses, directors, and their colleagues are passionately devoted to the spirit and integrity of the theater, and if theatergoers are willing, even anxious to support their efforts, there is a very compelling reason, and this production was a prime example why this is so. You may go to the movies; you may watch television; but never more dramatically or emotionally are you drawn into the lives presented on stage than you are sitting in a theater seat. If the play is worth producing, if the actors and directors (technicians et al) are giving it their all, you find yourself drawn in, engaged, part of it, living it as the actors are living it, and being so shaken that it goes home with you like a ghost at the ball. And this is what happens with Agnes of God. You will question the motives of Mother Superior (Leslie Churchill Ward); you will wonder why Dr. Livingstone (Theresa Flynn) is so emotionally involved, and what her motives are. And you will ask yourself whether Agnes (Lara Ring) is as innocent, naïve, artless, simple as she seems. You will wonder, too, where Director Clara Barton Green found someone who so truly looks the part, has the voice required for the songs, is small and fragile and vulnerable.
There are reasons why the Mother Superior is at this convent; and reasons why she wants to protect the postulant; and reasons why Dr. Livingstone is so disturbed by what she ferrets out from the subconscious of the young girl. It is a tale of fanaticism, fear, cruel and unspeakable abuse, memories so painful that any person would shut them out, and the kind of childlike simplicity that doesn’t recognize rape when it happens.
So we were moved and troubled and looked at one another numbly, and wondered how it was possible for mere actors to make us believe as if it were really all happening on stage rather than being artfully contrived by people with extraordinary acting skills.
It is important to know that this series of special productions being given by West End Dinner Theater are not the usual fare of a dinner theater which generally is dedicated to providing to the public “just entertainment.” This isn’t entertainment; it’s an experience. The series is the brain child of Kevin J. Sheehan, Producer, and he is joined by a handful of dedicated thespians and tech people. They will be presenting this play on Tuesday and Wednesday of each week for eight weeks, and if you’re lucky you will catch it. The purpose of this series is to provide the opportunity for people to gain experience either as directors, actors, or techies. In other words, friends, this group of dedicated people, along with the management of West End Dinner Theater are risk takers; willing to give their all to an ideal.
It is my opinion that they have succeeded. Clara Green directs her second show here, and others get to expand their horizons, stretch their talents, meet the challenge of “real theater.”
As for Agnes, is she sane? Was she raped? Did she kill? Does she really believe that her child is the child of God? Does religion offer solace, solutions? Or does it control one’s every thought and feeling? And when evil destroys one’s life, will God help? You decide.
West End Dinner Theater is at 1615 Duke Street, Alexandria. Call 703-370-2500 for information.