Word: duchess
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Director Orion Ross, along with producers Hannah Feldman and Thomas M. Lauderdale, made Duchess memorable both in innovation and production quality. The play they so successfully interpreted describes the plight of a young widowed noblewoman, the Duchess (Tanya Selaratnam), whose forbidden relationship with a lower-class man subjects her to the indignation of her brothers...
...Duchess defies all rules of decorum to seduce the current proprietor of her household, the charming Antonio Bologna (Cullen Gerst). But her protective brothers, the Cardinal of Ancona (David Gammons), and Ferdinand, Duke of Calabria (Sean Gullette), are alert to the Duchess' behavior. They assign Bosola (Suzanne Rose), a soldier of fortune, to spy on the Duchess' activities. In the end, each participant in this affair pays the highest price for their deceitful lifestyle...
...Duchess of Malfi's dramatic content could have easily been drowned out if the actors had muddled the Shakesperean-like dialogue. But every actor, specifically the Duchess, elucidated the complex prose and made it both stimulating and laudable...
Similarly, the main characters presented the strain and tragedy of their experiences with touching conviction. Selvaratnam and Michelle Haner, who played the Duchess' maidservant, were particularly convincing, not only in their presentation but also in dramatic stage presences. Even their expressive hand gestures conveyed the strength of their emotions...
Ross and Gammons' creative touches to the set served to heighten the fine character portrayals. For example, a multi-colored background wall illuminated the performers' outlines during night scenes, making the silhouettes seem particularly imposing. This technique became extremely poignant when the ghost of the murdered Duchess reappeared, a dark (and menacing) entity looming against the red background...