Word: etsten
(lookup in dictionary)
(lookup stats)
Dates: all
Sort By: most recent first
(reverse)
...prologue, written by Goldsmith as a parody of once popular, tear-drenched death scenes, is played with lilting stylization. Alas, it's the only sustained bit of mannered playing. Too much of what follows is done with a calculated ribaldry derivative of Richardson's Tom Jones. Mr. Hardcastle (Ed Etsten), the lord of the manor, must be given the dubious honor of a lifetime membership in Santa's Village. He tries so hard to be elfishly cop any winning that I'm sure his boundless energy will result in a heart attack along about the third night of the play...
...cast is simply too large to do its members individual justice. But special mention must be made of Sheila Hart and Arthur Friedman (Ftatateeta and Pothinus). Their overbearing presences manage to evoke most of the corruption and tension in the atmosphere of the Egyptian court. Ed Etsten (Rufio) is physically and vocally perfect as Caesar's comrade-in-arms, though his performance lacks a good deal for variety. And when Leland Moss (Brittanus) drops the strange, epicene mannerisms which he has imposed on the character of the super-sophisticated reform barbarian, he has several moments of rare and special dignity...
| 1 |