Word: scaphio
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Dates: during 1980-1989
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...authors' original intentions. Consequently, the interactions between the King's eldest daughter Princess Zara and the English soldier Captain Fitzbattleaxe are overly expressive. Her attempts to undress the captain would have seemed highly inappropriate to a period audience, and are still jarring today. In particular, the violent dispute between Scaphio and Phantis, the king's two advisors, disrupts the delicate balance between external decorum and internal expression...
Sometimes the superior performances of a few stars can rescue a production like this one. Alas, in the case of Nan Hughes (as the imported British governess), and John Redd and Peter Miller (as Scaphio and Phantis) stellar performing only reinforces the weakness of the rest of the play, As the two conniving advisors, Miller and Redd combine excellent movements on the stage with resounding voices. As they fight over Princess Zara, plan the overthrow of the British invaders, and manipulate the King, their excellent comic timing shines...