An abandoned church in post-Soviet Union collapse Eastern Europe provides the backdrop as art and political activism fill the stage in tonight’s Ohio State theater department opening of David Edgar’s “Pentecost” at the Drake Performance and Event Center.
Edgar, best known for his Tony award-winning adaptation of “Nicholas Nickelby,” is a British playwright who continues to create politically charged works. He has recently completed two plays based on American political points of view – one Democratic and one Republican. These plays will premiere in Berkeley, Calif. later this year.
“He’s a very intellectual playwright,” said the play’s director Jonathan Putnam, a lecturer in the theater department.
The play opens with two art historians discussing the significance of discovering a painting that questions some of the foundations of art history.
“(The painting) is done in perspective, which most art historians conventionally believe didn’t come into use until the Renaissance, and they believe this thing pre-dates the Renaissance,” Putnam said. “So they think they have found the greatest art find of the last 500 years.”
The art historians, the state government and the church argue over the ownership of the work.
Just as the audience begins to believe this is the plot of the play, a large group of culturally diverse priests, tourists and refugees from many of the world’s trouble spots enter the church, and the refugees take everyone hostage, seeking asylum.
“The play then becomes about identity, nationalism and the Western cultural invasion of these new Eastern European countries,” Putnam said.
Putnam said this is a massive show with a huge set, cast and demands.
The play was very demanding on the actors – requiring them to learn one or more of the nine different languages spoken by the characters.
“Some of us had to learn up to three different languages,” said freshman theater major Justin Gentry. “It’s unbelievable.”
Support with learning the languages was provided by the Center for Slavic and East European Studies and the department of Slavic and East European languages and literatures.
“There’s a cast of 25 and only two of them are native English speakers,” Putnam said. “The students (actors) have had to learn Arabic, Turkish, and Bulgarian – it’s an amazing vocal test for these people.”
Master’s of fine arts student Lise Evans said this quarter’s Theater 100 students must attend the play as one of their assignments.
“I think they are really going to enjoy it,” Evans said. “The whole show really says ‘bad-ass.'”
The play begins today and runs through through March 6 in the Thurber Theatre at the Drake Center.
Information on performance times is available on the theater department Web site at www.the.ohio-state.edu or the theater box office at 292-2295.
Tickets are available from the box office located in the Drake Center or from Ticketmaster outlets.
