"The Witch Play" "The Witch Play" is a theatrical production that combines elements of fantasy, folklore, and horror. It centers around the story of a coven of witches who use their powers to manipulate and control the world around them. The play begins in a small village where strange occurrences have been happening. The villagers suspect that witches are to blame for their misfortunes and decide to take matters into their own hands. They appoint a group of hunters to track down and capture the witches. As the hunters set off on their mission, they encounter a wide range of challenges, including spells, illusions, and shape-shifting creatures.
As the hunters set off on their mission, they encounter a wide range of challenges, including spells, illusions, and shape-shifting creatures. The witches use their powers to try and outsmart the hunters at every turn, creating an intense and suspenseful atmosphere. Throughout the play, the audience is taken on a journey through different mystical realms and encounters various magical creatures.
‘Witch’: Theater Review
Maura Tierney and Evan Jonigkeit head an outstanding cast in Jen Silverman's darkly humorous update from 1621, 'Witch,' at the Geffen Playhouse.
Jordan Riefe
August 30, 2019 3:21pm- Share this article on Facebook
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Based on a Jacobean play from 1621, Jen Silverman’s Witch is thematically as current as the morning headlines. Commissioned by Chicago’s Writers Theater, this revamped tragicomedy enjoyed a successful world premiere last year before arriving in Los Angeles with director Marti Lyons and a new cast and creative department. In this stripped-down production staged in the intimate 138-seat Audrey Skirball Kenis Theater, Silverman’s clever dialogue elicits laughter that underpins darker themes. Headlining a strong cast is Maura Tierney as Elizabeth Sawyer, a real-life figure executed for witchcraft whose search for hope against the odds echoes our own unsure era.
In her loose adaptation of The Witch of Edmonton, written by William Rowley, Thomas Dekker and John Ford, Silverman reworks subplots and jettisons period dialogue for contemporary vernacular. At the core of the play is the relationship between Sawyer and Scratch (Evan Jonigkeit), the alluring devil who one strange day appears in her hovel. But before he does, he stops in on Frank Thorney (Ruy Iskandar), an ambitious peasant who has weaseled his way into the good graces of local landowner Sir Arthur Banks (Brian George), widower father to Cuddy (Will Von Vogt), who yearns for Frank even as he wishes him dead.
Such wishes are where Scratch makes scratch. He offers Frank anything he desires in exchange for his soul. Complacent with his lot, Frank demurs until Scratch prompts him to consider the future. Doing so with an eye on Sir Arthur’s fortune, Frank acquiesces. Cuddy, wishing only to dance the Morris dance (a real-life all-male tradition), sells his soul to see Frank snuffed out. Sir Arthur’s maid, Winnifred (Vella Lovell), is secretly married to Frank and is carrying his baby. When Scratch comes to her, she asks only to be buried by her husband’s side. But when he comes to Sawyer, who having been scapegoated by the community and labeled a witch has more reason to sign than any, she remains a tempting holdout.
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It’s here where Silverman cultivates her theme of a world without hope made hopeful by the renewal that might follow wholesale slaughter, a metaphor for revolution. “We are poised in the quintessential moment of asking ourselves if we can fix the system from within or if the only way forward is just to burn it all down,” Silverman says in the program notes. It’s an attitude usually adopted by a play’s antagonist, not the protagonist, as she has done here.
Scenes between Tierney and Jonigkeit take place downstage on scenic designer Dane Laffrey’s dirt floor. Behind them is a close-up pair of eyes from a portrait of the period cast in eerie blue by lighting designer Keith Parham when the lights interstitially dim. Scratch comes to visit Sawyer “off the clock” to get to know her better. As irresistible force to Tierney’s immovable object, Jonigkeit steals most of their scenes, not due to his partner’s dramatic shortcomings but because Scratch is witty where Sawyer is smart, and witty is just more fun. While Silverman maintains a tuned ear for dialogue and a keen understanding of situational comedy, scenes often spin their wheels. In such instances, her solution is to put a button on it and cut to black.
A Golden Globe winner for her work on Showtime’s The Affair, Tierney is a subtle performer only too happy to dim her wattage and blend seamlessly with the ensemble. Over the years she has honed her theater chops appearing off-Broadway in a 2006 production of Neil LaBute’s Some Girl(s) and working twice with the Wooster Group in North Atlantic and a recent international tour of The Town Hall Affair. Here, her character is stirred from a dour existence by the company of the devil, her monotone gradually brightened by the prospect of change.
While director Lyons strikes the right note between the play’s darker and comedic elements, her work with Tierney and Jonigkeit is effective despite limited chemistry between the two. Their burgeoning romance strains credibility in a manner similar to Winnifred’s blind devotion to Frank, which is to say the play’s emotional elements generally miss the mark.
Such wishes are where Scratch makes scratch. He offers Frank anything he desires in exchange for his soul. Complacent with his lot, Frank demurs until Scratch prompts him to consider the future. Doing so with an eye on Sir Arthur’s fortune, Frank acquiesces. Cuddy, wishing only to dance the Morris dance (a real-life all-male tradition), sells his soul to see Frank snuffed out. Sir Arthur’s maid, Winnifred (Vella Lovell), is secretly married to Frank and is carrying his baby. When Scratch comes to her, she asks only to be buried by her husband’s side. But when he comes to Sawyer, who having been scapegoated by the community and labeled a witch has more reason to sign than any, she remains a tempting holdout.
The set design and special effects play a vital role in creating a captivating and immersive experience for the viewers. As the story unfolds, the audience is introduced to complex characters, each with their own motivations and desires. The witches, portrayed as powerful and enigmatic figures, show the audience the potentialities of both light and dark magic. "The Witch Play" touches upon themes of power, temptation, and the consequences of one's actions. It raises questions about the nature of good and evil and explores the fine line between them. The play also delves into the psychological aspects of the human mind and the lengths one might go to in order to achieve their desires. Overall, "The Witch Play" is a thought-provoking and thrilling production that provides an entertaining and captivating experience for its audience. By combining elements of fantasy, folklore, and horror, it creates a unique and immersive world that keeps viewers engaged from beginning to end..
Reviews for "The Witch Plah and Healing Crystals: Combining Energies for Powerful Spells"
1. John - 2 stars - "The Witch Play was a complete waste of time. The acting was mediocre at best, and the storyline was confusing and just plain boring. I couldn't connect with any of the characters, and I found myself constantly checking my watch, waiting for it to be over. Save your money and skip this one."
2. Sarah - 1 star - "I have never been so disappointed in a play before. The Witch Play was a jumbled mess of poorly written dialogue and uninspiring performances. The plot was all over the place, and I couldn't make sense of what was happening on stage. The ending left me feeling unsatisfied and regretting the ticket I had purchased. I would strongly advise against seeing this production."
3. Michael - 2 stars - "I had high hopes for The Witch Play, but it fell far short of my expectations. The acting was lackluster, and the pacing was incredibly slow. It seemed like the play was trying too hard to be mysterious and thought-provoking, but it ended up being just plain tedious. I found myself struggling to stay engaged throughout the entire performance. Overall, I would not recommend The Witch Play to anyone looking for an enjoyable night out."
4. Melissa - 2 stars - "I was really excited to see The Witch Play, but unfortunately, it didn't live up to the hype. The story had potential, but the execution was poor. The characters were one-dimensional, and the dialogue felt unnatural. The play lacked depth and emotional connection, making it difficult to become invested in the outcome. I left the theater feeling underwhelmed and dissatisfied with my experience."
5. David - 1 star - "The Witch Play was a complete disaster from start to finish. The actors seemed disinterested, and their performances lacked conviction. The plot was convoluted and difficult to follow, leaving me feeling bewildered and uninterested. It felt like a mishmash of random scenes thrown together without any real purpose or direction. Save yourself the disappointment and choose another play to see instead."