Reviewed by Tony Annicone
Gamm’s newest show is the U.S. premiere of “The Night Watch”, Hattie Naylor’s adaptation of Sarah Water’s bestselling novel. It is the poignant story of liberation and loss set against the disorienting backdrop of the Second World War. It’s bursting with secrets and illicit affairs, “The Night Watch” moves backward in time through the 1940’s into the frenzy of the Blitz. Like an emotional detective story, the play follows the intertwined history of five young Londoners as they unfold in surprising ways. Director Tony Estrella says “Waters has created a stunning feat of reverse engineering. Starting in 1947 amid the rubble-strewn aftermath of the war, her story and Naylor’s adaptation unfold between the German blitzes of 1944 and 1941. This story is a love story, a tale of resistance, and a powerful, welcome reminder of the need for decency and compassion in hard times. As a result the tale’s heartbreaking end shines ironically like a beacon of hope.” The war with its never ending night watches serves as a reminder of the morbidity that surrounds life and love. The show is divided into three acts and is a series of vignettes. Director Tony Estrella casts powerful performers in these roles with some of them playing dual roles. He makes them delve into these complex characters and gives each of them their moment to shine in this show. The most exhilarating scenes are the ambulance rescue scene with Kay as well as the house collapsing onstage burying one of the performers.
The cast is comprised of talented performers. The show opens with a radio onstage playing songs of that era. The first Act song is “I’ll Be Seeing You”, which foreshadows these young people running into each other again. The second act is “A Nightingale Sang in Barkley Square” when a tragic incident is averted which turns the situation on a dime, once again bringing hope while the third act’s song is “We’ll Meet Again” where everything the audience has witnessed so far becomes apparent. The ethereal Gillian Gordon plays Kay, an ambulance driver during the war but in 1947 is contemplating her loss of love and purpose. She watches her neighbor, a Christian Scientist doctor with her patients in 1947 and she receives a wonderful surprise at the end of this act that brings hope to her future. Gillian’s portrayal is poignant and she tugs on your heartstrings. I last reviewed her as Kathy in “Singing in the Rain” for Reagle Music Theatre and this role proves she is also adept at handling a dramatic role.
Patrick Saunders plays Duncan, a fey looking boy who lives with his mysterious uncle and he’s also prone to panic attacks due to a horrific incident in 1941, the air raids in 1944 and in 1947 is astounded to run into his former cellmate when he appears wanting to write a story on him for the newspaper. He has many dramatic moments and handles them beautifully especially the bombing scene in Act 2 and the tragic incident in the last scene. His sister, Viv, is wonderfully played by Erin Eva Butcher. She helps her brother with his horrific situation in 1941. Viv is having an affair with a married man in the second act which leads to heartbreak and is where she first meets Kay who helps her out of a jam. Viv in 1947 works at a lonely hearts club patching up wartime wounds.
Rachel Dulude commands the stage as the bossy, Helen who is emotionally needy. Helen presents a calm public face but seethes with uncontrollable insecurity and jealousy she directs at her lover, Julia. She is brilliant during this outburst and also in the tender moments during the air raids in 1944 and 1941. This last one is especially gut wrenching but at the same time gives a spark of hope for the future. Meg Kiley Smith portrays two characters in this show. As Mrs. Leonard, the Christian Scientist doctor, she warns her elderly patient not to depend on medication but to think away his ailments. Meg also portrays Julia whose love life is intertwined with two other characters. She gives her the backbone to stand up to Helen’s outburst in the first act, then in the second delivers a more caring woman interested in Helen’s welfare especially during the blitz attacks. Meg does a marvelous job as both characters being more comic as Mrs. Leonard and more serious as Julia.
Michael Liebhauser delivers the goods as the strong willed Robert Fraser in Act 1 where he is a newspaper reporter covering a story on the factory of candle makers. He is also the frightened cellmate of Duncan in 1944 who is scared during the bombings. Michael also plays a fellow ambulance worker with Gillian and Casey Seymour Kim. Casey is a hoot as the factory owner who lightens the first act with some clever lines and flirtatious moments with Duncan and Robert. She later plays Mickey, a fellow ambulance worker in 1944 and 41. Jim O’Brien is the mysterious Uncle that is brought to the Doctor and doted on by his nephew. His true identity is revealed later on in Act 2. So for a terrific show that resonates with contemporary audiences during these uncertain times, be sure to catch the U.S. premiere of “The Night Watch” at Gamm Theatre to witness splendid direction and acting by one and all.
THE NIGHT WATCH (17 January to 10 February)
GAMM Theatre, 1245 Jefferson Boulevard, Warwick, RI
1(401)723-4266 or www.gammtheatre.org
