The Servant of Two Masters
Tue, 12 July 2005, 07:07 amWalter Plinge1 post in thread
The Servant of Two Masters
Tue, 12 July 2005, 07:07 amMaitland Repertory Society's production of The Servant of Two Masters opened on Wednesday 29 July, 2005 at The Playhouse Theatre, High Street, Maitland NSW.
The Servant of Two Masters was written by Carlo Goldini in 1743. This production was directed by David Smith.
MAITLAND REPERTORY SOCIETY
REVIEW BY ANNE ROBINSON OF
“THE SERVANT OF TWO MASTERS”
by Carlo Goldini
Directed by David Smith
Truffaldino is a mischievous servant who is quick on his feet and quick with his wit. He somehow manages, more by luck than skill, to get himself out of trouble. He lies to his master and when challenged admits, but only to the audience, that he is just making it up as he goes.
He is tempted to work for a second master and negotiates a much better rate of pay, although he appears to have no idea of the value of his wages. His boldness gets him into all sorts of bother, but amazingly he manages to extract himself, and still appears to his employers be a trustworthy and loyal servant.
Maitland Repertory Society’s latest production is “The Servant of Two Masters” by Carlo Goldini, which was written in 1743. The play opened on Wednesday night and continues until July 16 at The Playhouse Theatre.
Director David Smith takes on the mammoth task of playing Truffaldino, after the lead actor was injured in an accident. David does this admirably, and although he is reading his part from a script, he is still acting. He works to the audience and enjoys their reaction.
Thérèse Maher (Signorina Clarice) and Amanda Kirkman (Smeraldina, the maid) are both newcomers to Maitland Repertory, and play the love interests of Silvio (Christian Kauter) and Truffaldino.
Renaye Loryman (Frederigo/Beatrice) and Brian Randell (Florindo) play the star crossed lovers, who are both led to believe by Truffaldino that the other is dead.
Stalwarts Robert Comber (Pantalone) and Ian Robinson (Lombardi) give strong performances as the distraught fathers. Their childrenÂ’s marriage plans are thwarted when ClariceÂ’s former betrothed, Frederigo, appears following his reported death.
Margaret Bailey plays Brighella, the flirtatious innkeeper and Stan Zysek is the lively waiter.
The costumes are simple and effective, creating a sense of 18th century Venice. The set is colourful and inventive, although the complicated backdrop appears to need some fine tuning. The three scenes which were displayed were all too similar and did not give an effective sense of a change of place.
Daniel Zysek showed his competency and abilities with lighting.
This is a lively play with a gentle sense of humour which will appeal to a wide audience.
Maitland Repertory Society’s production of “The Servant of Two Masters” opened on Wednesday, June 29 and runs on Wednesday, Friday, Saturday evenings for three weeks until July 16 with a matinee performance on July 10, commencing at 2pm. The Playhouse Theatre is in High Street, Maitland, opposite Maitland Town Hall.
Bookings are now available at Hunter River Country Visitor Information Centre, Telephone 49312800 or can be purchased at the box office before the show. Group discounts are available for 20 or more for only $10 per ticket. Single tickets are $16 and concession tickets are $12 each.
The Servant of Two Masters was written by Carlo Goldini in 1743. This production was directed by David Smith.
MAITLAND REPERTORY SOCIETY
REVIEW BY ANNE ROBINSON OF
“THE SERVANT OF TWO MASTERS”
by Carlo Goldini
Directed by David Smith
Truffaldino is a mischievous servant who is quick on his feet and quick with his wit. He somehow manages, more by luck than skill, to get himself out of trouble. He lies to his master and when challenged admits, but only to the audience, that he is just making it up as he goes.
He is tempted to work for a second master and negotiates a much better rate of pay, although he appears to have no idea of the value of his wages. His boldness gets him into all sorts of bother, but amazingly he manages to extract himself, and still appears to his employers be a trustworthy and loyal servant.
Maitland Repertory Society’s latest production is “The Servant of Two Masters” by Carlo Goldini, which was written in 1743. The play opened on Wednesday night and continues until July 16 at The Playhouse Theatre.
Director David Smith takes on the mammoth task of playing Truffaldino, after the lead actor was injured in an accident. David does this admirably, and although he is reading his part from a script, he is still acting. He works to the audience and enjoys their reaction.
Thérèse Maher (Signorina Clarice) and Amanda Kirkman (Smeraldina, the maid) are both newcomers to Maitland Repertory, and play the love interests of Silvio (Christian Kauter) and Truffaldino.
Renaye Loryman (Frederigo/Beatrice) and Brian Randell (Florindo) play the star crossed lovers, who are both led to believe by Truffaldino that the other is dead.
Stalwarts Robert Comber (Pantalone) and Ian Robinson (Lombardi) give strong performances as the distraught fathers. Their childrenÂ’s marriage plans are thwarted when ClariceÂ’s former betrothed, Frederigo, appears following his reported death.
Margaret Bailey plays Brighella, the flirtatious innkeeper and Stan Zysek is the lively waiter.
The costumes are simple and effective, creating a sense of 18th century Venice. The set is colourful and inventive, although the complicated backdrop appears to need some fine tuning. The three scenes which were displayed were all too similar and did not give an effective sense of a change of place.
Daniel Zysek showed his competency and abilities with lighting.
This is a lively play with a gentle sense of humour which will appeal to a wide audience.
Maitland Repertory Society’s production of “The Servant of Two Masters” opened on Wednesday, June 29 and runs on Wednesday, Friday, Saturday evenings for three weeks until July 16 with a matinee performance on July 10, commencing at 2pm. The Playhouse Theatre is in High Street, Maitland, opposite Maitland Town Hall.
Bookings are now available at Hunter River Country Visitor Information Centre, Telephone 49312800 or can be purchased at the box office before the show. Group discounts are available for 20 or more for only $10 per ticket. Single tickets are $16 and concession tickets are $12 each.