Throwing a wrench into the political machine
You’d have to live in Washington, D.C., to get what Farragut North refers to (a public transit station).
But you could live anywhere and get what Farragut North is about.
The play by Beau Willimon, who worked on Howard Dean’s failed presidential nomination campaign in 2004, looks at what happens to ambitious, smart and well meaning people when they get close to power. (The film The Ides of March came out of the play.)
It’s a story about politics that political junkies will find fascinating. But even if backroom deals, press leaks and polling results don’t win your vote, the play is well written enough to draw you in.
The same isn’t always true of the uneven production given it by Live Five. Held to strict professional standards, it falls short. Some of it was casting, some of it acting, some of it directing and some even wardrobe. The uniformly ugly coats the actors wear looked like the result of a 15-minute trip to Value Village. When Paul slapped Stephen on the shoulders at Friday’s opening, a cloud of dust erupted, along with some laughter from the audience. We’re told this is professional theatre, but you’d expect better from a university play.
The story centres around Stephen Bellamy (Jaron Francis), press secretary for a governor we never see who is trying to win the Democratic nomination.
When one misstep threatens his coveted position, we get to see what Stephen is really all about. And, man, it’s not pretty.
The playwright’s message about power and what it does to people is sharp and convincing. You can just see these people starting out with high ideals and then getting sucked into the machine. Inevitably, Willimon says, it’s all about winning — or at least getting even.
It’s nice to see new faces on local stages, like Regina actor Mark Claxton, who was solid at Friday’s opening playing campaign manager Paul.
Paige Goodman effectively made her pro debut as intern Molly, a character who adds a sexual element to the power play. Heather Morrison plays Times reporter Ida Horowicz. Anthony MacMahon is Ben, a staffer who’s even younger and maybe smarter than Stephen. And Matt Josdal plays Tom, the calculating campaign manager for the other guy.
Josdal doesn’t do a thing wrong but seems too young for the part. You would rather see someone 10 or 30 years older to lend it some gravity or true scumminess or appalling cynicism.
But the real concern here is the lead. Some actors radiate light and some absorb it. Francis absorbs it. That’s why he was so effective as a wounded soldier in Champ de Mars last season. But here, the part of Stephen would be better served by an actor who radiates, who has a glint in his eye, who has the magnetism and stage presence to really draw you. It would have made watching the part both more pleasing and more convincing, since you’d understand why a young guy like Stephen has come so far in politics.
Of less concern was a curious variability in the acting that director Charlie Peters failed to solve in the lead-up. Some moments — particularly one between Stephen and Molly where they both admit they are bad people — were incredibly wooden. Chemistry and a joy-of-doing were also missing but might develop over time.
Farragut North runs Thursday to Oct. 28.