Company: Equinox Theater Company
Date of Performance: Tuesday, June 5, 2012
Running Time: 2 hours, 35 minutes, including one fifteen
minute intermission.
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| Photo Credit: C. Trammell/Oh Snap! Photography |
As is my habit, I won’t
spoil the story with too much information. That said, though, it helps to know that it takes place in
the late 19th century, near New York City, when the magic of
electricity was just beginning to bloom.
And one of the blossoms was a mechanical vibrator that showed some value
as a medical treatment for hysteria in (mostly) women. The play depicts just such treatments,
and the resulting “relief” it gave to the patients. The first act is understandably comedic given the subject
matter and the framework of 19th century values (which now seem less
quaint than crazy).
Needless to say, Dr.
Givings’ (Charles Wingerter) patients are, shall we say, much more self aware
and considerably less “tense” as a result of their “treatments.”
The second act moves abruptly from
comedy to drama.
The contrast is stark but effective. It seems the more self aware the characters become, the lonelier
they are. All of them fantasize
about one of the other characters, but none of them can completely connect with
that person. And that is why this
play is more relevant in the 21st century than it would have been in
1890.
Despite the title, the play
itself is relatively tame. There’s
no nudity. It’s not erotic. It’s not vulgar or obscene, even though
there are probably some adults who could be offended by some of the
content.
There are, however, some
simulated orgasms achieved through mechanical means. (And one that is achieved using a “manual” method.”) I use the word “simulated” carefully
here. The simulations are very
convincing. Aimee Janelle
Nelson (“Mrs. Daldry”) seems particularly gifted at portraying ecstasy. Kaity Talmage-Bowers (“Mrs.
Givings”) also displays considerable gusto for her “solo” performances.
The standout performance here, though, goes to Adam
Perkes (“Leo Irving”). And that’s
not just because he is marvelous to watch as he responds to “treatment.” It’s also because he dares to push the
sexual and racial boundaries of love in the 19th (and 21st)
century. And we are ultimately disappointed
when we learn that doing so will make him lonely forever.
If you were hoping that “The Vibrator Play” would be all about
mechanical self-gratification, you may be disappointed. This play is about much more than that. And it is very well presented here by
Equinox, with a talented cast, an impressive set and tasteful, engaging
direction from Deb Flomberg.
For a lot of reasons,
technological, social, and emotional, the 21st century focus is more
on fleeting pleasure (translation: “orgasm”) than on relationships. We are too often connected socially but
disconnected emotionally. “In the Next Room…or the Vibrator Play”
reminds us that this is not a new problem.
This play won’t change your
life, but it will make you think about the people you know, and your
relationships with them. And
frankly, that’s more than enough reason to see this production.
NOTE: Leave the kids at home.
This show runs through June
16, 2012.
Director:
Deb Flomberg
Cast:
Charlie Wingerter (“Dr. Givings”)
Kaity Talmage-Bowers (“Mrs. Givings”)
Aimee Janelle Nelson (“Mrs. Daldry”)
Linda Swanson Brown (“Annie”)
Arthur Pierce (“Mr. Daldry”)
Lisa Young (“Elizabeth”)
Adam Perkes (“Leo Irving”)
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