BWW Reviews: Simon Callow in TUESDAYS AT TESCOS at 59E59 Excellent and Compelling

"Everybody stares at me on Tuesdays."

-Tuesdays at Tesco's

The "Brits Off-Broadway" festival continues at 59E59 Theaters with Tuesdays at Tesco's, a gripping play starring one of Great Britain's finest actors, Simon Callow. It is now being performed through June 7th. This emotive piece of theater is written by Emmanuel Darley, adapted and translated by Matthew Hurt and Sarah Vermande and directed by Simon Stokes. Metropolitan area audiences should take advantage of the opportunity to see this great theatrical event.

In the show, Pauline (Simon Callow) is an aging transsexual who visits her widowed father every Tuesday to do the cleaning, washing and ironing. They also shop at Tesco's, the local department store, for groceries and supplies. Pauline is anxious to connect with her father, but the "grumpy old bear" prefers things the way they used to be when Pauline was his son, Paul.

Self-aware, Pauline states, "I am as I am. Myself me and that's that." And although she is hurt by her father's rejection, she continues to devote time to him. "I'm happy to be here on Tuesdays because you'll be a little less lonely."

Callow's heartrending portrayal of Pauline is inspired. And he seamlessly brings a number of other characters into the narrative including Pauline's father, Tesco cashiers, and townspeople.

The show also incorporates a Musician (Conor Mitchell) who composes piano melodies on stage. This touch gives a sense of process to Pauline's story and shows a carefree side of her personality as she does some perky dance steps.

This is an important piece of theater. It portrays a true family dilemma that calls acceptance and devotion into question. Tuesdays at Tesco's first premiered at the Edinburg Fringe Festival in 2011. It is the English language adaptation of the Moliere-nominated play, Le Mardi a Monoprix.

The set with a circle of light around the stage and the simple costuming and props lend a perfect mood to the play. Set and costume design is by Robin Don, lighting design by Chahine Yavroyan and movement direction is by Quinny Sacks. The production Stage Manager is Grace Wessels, AEA Production Stage Manager is Jess Johnston and Tara Llewellyn does wardrobe. The producer is Richard Darbourne Ltd in association with Assembly and Riverside Studios.

Photo Credit: Carol Rosegg