Review: HEARTBREAK HOUSE at Hartford Stage

From the very moment audiences enter the theater at Hartford Stage for its final production of the 2016-17 season, George Bernard Shaw's HEARTBREAK HOUSE, it is immediately apparent the evening is going to be quite unique. In what has been called Shaw's "most ambitious and prophetic achievement", HEARTBREAK HOUSE manages to bring to life the signature wit and social dialogue of Shaw's other works but with a sense of danger, intrigue and fascination - and under the direction of Artistic Director Darko Tresnjak, the Hartford Stage production accomplishes this and more.

HEARTBREAK HOUSE, which has been called Shaw's "comic and caustic masterwork" follows a number of visitors to an eclectic country home in Sussex, England in 1914, just before the beginning of World War I. The home, which is built and decorated like a large ship serves as both the setting for the evening's events but also as a metaphor for the country on the brink of war. The man of the house, or rather captain of the ship, Captain Shotover (Miles Anderson) is eccentric but wise and lives in the house with his bohemian daughter Hesione Hushabye (Charlotte Parry) and her husband Hector (Stephen Barker Turner). They are visited one evening by Captain Shotover's long absent daughter, the conservative and proper Lady Ariadne Utterword (Tessa Auberjonois), her brother-in-law Randall (Grant Goodman), a poor but hopeful friend of Hesione, Ellie Dunn (Dani de Waal), Ellie's former activist father Mazzini (Keith Reddin) and the rich and powerful man Ellie is to marry, Boss Mangan (Andrew Long). Throughout the evening this motley bunch are served by the long suffering, but plucky Nurse Guinness (Mary VanArsdel.) Over the course of this "weekend in the country" much is revealed - secret identities, past transgressions, false intentions and a deep, existential look at who we are and why we do the things we do.

In this production of HEARTBREAK HOUSE, director Darko Tresnjak has made some very inspired choices, including, most notably, the characterization of the blustery, supposedly successful windbag Boss Mangan, played with perfect nuance by Andrew Long. I won't spoil the surprise, but Mr. Long's entrance was certainly the funniest moment in the play and his scenes kept the audience laughing throughout the night. Mr. Tresnjak's staging using the three levels of the house/ship works extremely well and the pacing is strong throughout most of the play (the third act is the slowest, though it is necessary for the surprising and thought provoking climax of the play.) The witty dialogue is fast paced, but not lost on the audience, which is not always an easy feat to accomplish.

The acting in HEARTBREAK HOUSE, is overall quite strong. Ms. Parry gives the strongest performance of the evening, bringing Hesione's quirky and liberal sense to life with glorious flair. As her sister, Ariadne, Ms. Auberjonois is deliciously proper - her arrival and the subsequent disdain and shock for her lack of welcome sets the tone for her character for the rest of the night. And, as Captain Shotover, Mr. Anderson is a great mix of loveable curmudgeon and inspired sage.

From a technical standpoint, the set (designed by Colin McGurk) is a true masterpiece, the costumes (by Ilona Somogyi) are a perfect fit for the period and the setting, and the lighting (by Matthew Richards) and sound (by Jane Shaw) are equally strong.

Overall, HEARTBREAK HOUSE, though written over 100 years ago feels surprisingly current. With the stark differences and conflict between the more conservative and more liberal characters, the divide between rich and poor, and the talk (and fear) of pending war, it might have easily been written about today's world. In producing HEARTBREAK HOUSE, Hartford Stage has made a bold choice for its season closer, but one that illustrates the creative depth and quality that is signature to so many of their productions. If you do go, keep in mind the show is lengthy (over 2 hours and 45 minutes with one intermission) but you are certain to have a few laughs and come away with something to think about and discuss on the way home from the theatre.

HEARTBREAK HOUSE runs at Hartford Stage in Hartford, CT through June 11th. Hartford Stage is located at 50 Church Street, Hartford, CT 06103. Performances are Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Sunday at 7:30 p.m., Friday and Saturday at 8:00 p.m., and Saturday and Sunday at 2:00 p.m. For more information call 860-527-5151 or visit www.hartfordstage.com

Top Photo: The cast of HEARTBREAK HOUSE

Middle Photos: Charlotte Parry, Dani de Waal

Bottom photo: Tessa Auberjonois, Andrew Long (background)

All photos by T. Charles Erickson

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