Frenzy

In 1993-

Colombo - CTBC Nadaga Vizha - Elphinstone Theatre.

Myself with Miss.Gnanaratnam acted in an Absurd play "Naththaiyum and Amaiyum " written by Eugene Ionesco adapted into Tamil and directed by

George Chandrasekaran(S.L.B.C )

45 minutes - 2 characters - great challenge - but the audience was with us throughout and appreciated every moment of this new experience in theatre.

News papers carried raving reviews - we were very happy indeed....!

Now read the review of the original English version, "Frenzy for two or more"

staged in U.S.A

'ABSURD' a confusing, entertaining evening

By Jill LeGrow

News Staff

02/23/00

"A tortoise or a snail are just the same thing."

So began a night of three one-act absurdist plays by Eugene Ionesco. And absurd they were.

On a stage awash in white white walls, white floor, white bed, chair and lamp "an evening ... ABSURD," the latest production by the Northeastern Theater Department and Silver Masque, tried to teach one lesson of life in each play, but they weren't all easy to understand.

The evening began with "Frenzy for Two, or More." In this play, a couple, He and She, argues over the similarities and differences between snails and tortoises. She says, "A tortoise or a snail goes around with a house on its back, that why it's so slow."

He disagrees, yet had no reason for the differences. The argument is nonsensical, but the purpose is to show the underlying tensions between the characters and their past. Sarah Witherell is especially good at portraying the sometimes frantic, always argumentative She, and the chemistry between Witherell and He (Joe Paradis), works well.

Their conversation goes in circles and on tangents as She blames He for their failing marriage. "

Outside of their apartment, a vague, nondescript war rages in the streets, serving as an appropriate parallel to their ever-changing feelings for each other. One moment, He says how much he can't stand her any longer, the next minute a bomb explodes outside and they rush to each other to make sure the other is not hurt. Much like a war, where nothing is certain and loyalties are forever changing, their relationship constantly changes courses throughout the play.

Another production......

Frenzy for Two, or More

by Eugene Ionesco; directed by Jason Ries; with Andrew Kelsey, Alexandra Kuntzsch, Frederick N. Bald, Paula Barrish; assistant director Jacqueline Blackman; stage manager Anthony Hughes

EXIT Theatre June 24 - July 29, 1997