STORY STUDY - MEDIUM: THEATER - “Death Defying Acts”
(I wasn't able to find any photos of this production. Sorry!)
You’re in for a treat when you get to a theater and are treated with three one-act plays written by highly established playwrights (and screenwriters). Welcome to Death Defying Acts.
The first play is An Interview, written by David Mamet. An attorney is being (or rather, what he feels like) put on trial about something he’d done to someone only known as the Attendant.
Next up is Hotline, written by Elaine May. Ken Gardner is a telephone counselor for a suicide hotline who becomes arrogant after a few successful calls in convincing callers to change their mind. Dorothy is a neurotic, depressed prostitute who (after trying to find the right number) gets in touch with Ken. She doesn’t think he’s doing a great job in comforting her, and when she hangs up, it throws Ken into a panic into trying to get her back on the phone before she kills herself.
Closing out the night is Central Park West, written by Woody Allen. Therapist Phyllis tricks her friend Carol into coming over so she can tell her about her husband, Sam having an affair… and Carol is the other woman. The situation escalates when Sam shows up and tells both women that he’s planning to be with another woman.
Oh, and all of these are supposed to be comedies.
If you are familiar with each playwright, you can definitely tell each one is written in their signature style, both in characters and their dialogue. This isn’t a criticism, but it’s clear that the audience will get the full experience of Hotline if they actually watch it play out in front of them, as opposed to the other two, which are easy to follow just by reading it. The way the two primary characters interact on separate sides of the stage, and the concurrent actions they do just makes it easier to pay attention.
I found what is easily the weakest story is An Interview. The story only exists to lead up to a twist/joke that is underwhelming. It’s underwhelming because the dialogue between the two characters are so drawn out, you’ll find yourself saying “get on with it!” because of all the stuttering and pauses the characters give.
I’ve never seen a production of Death Defying Acts, nor have I seen any of the individual plays. I bought the script just on the basis of each playwright’s names, since I went through a phase in their works. I know Elaine May the least, having seen only two films that she had written, one of which I do recommend: The Birdcage by director Mike Nichols.
If these types of stories pique your interest, then go ahead and pick up a copy, and if you’re lucky enough, go see it. For me, it’s a production I don’t find myself wanting to rush to go see.
Ring up a phone, and check it out.
