True West by Sam Shepard - March - April 2004 review by Alan Chard
Production photos : review
A violent tale of sibling rivalry, centring on brothers Lee and Austin who are brought together, alone in their mother's home although they have had no contact for years.
Austin (Timothy Deenihan) is a college-educated screen writer, working on a speculative screenplay that he hopes will be turned into a movie.
Lee ( Richard Brake) is the 'brother from hell'. He delights in winding up Austin and challenging social norms. At times I was pleased to be in the second row - a safe distance from him!
The action takes place in mom's kitchen of 1980, although the fittings look more 1950s. The crescendo of tension begins almost immediately as Lee watches TV and drinks while Austin tries to concentrate on writing. There are lighter interludes and many comic moments but the tension builds and finally explodes in violence; whiskey showers across the stage, drawers are emptied and the telephone ripped out and smashed.
Just as we think the violence is done we're confronted by a final twist in the action as the play ends.
Saul (John G Moraitis) and Mom (Angela Moran) have smaller parts, but are key players in the story.
At the Dukes the play is staged in the Studio with the audience all around, if the seating is unreserved grab a front row seat, you'll enjoy the action, I certainly did.
Probably the best thing I have seen at the Dukes.
Alan Chard