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| Charlene Baldridge Photo by Ken Howard |
Aunt Augusta has “brilliant” red hair, according to her nephew, Henry. Audiences hear this description but never really see the flamboyant septuagenarian in Graham Greene’s Travels With My Aunt as adapted for the stage by Giles Havergal and directed by David Ellenstein at North Coast Repertory Theatre, where he is artistic director. The production is seen through May 7 at the Solana Beach theatre. It’s a definite must see for lovers of literature, spoken word and the actors involved, who are Richard Baird, Benjamin Cole, David McBean and James Saba.
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| Cole, McBean, Saba and Baird the company of Travels With My Aunt Photos by Aaron Rumley |
Wordsworth, the redheaded aunt, and Henry are soon off with a suitcase of cash aboard the Orient Express, destination Istanbul. Henry is never certain where the money comes from (Augusta: “I am not interested in economy”) or just what Auntie is up to, but he and we suspect it is something nefarious that has to do with the love of Augusta’s life, one Mr. Visconti, a former associate of Mussolini. They eventually catch up with Visconti at the 11th hour in Paraguay.
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| Cole, Saba, McBean and Baird |
Needless to say, Henry’s life is forever changed, and you can find out precisely how (well, not exactly precisely) by attending this hilarious, brilliantly cast and directed play. The suspense never lets up.
It is great fun to see the identically clad actors (bowler hats are no hindrance!) switch characters right before one’s eyes. Before the evening is over, you’ll swear that you haveseen the characters. Baird’s Wordsworth breaks your heart with his passion, dedication and sincerity. Saba’s Augusta is a lovable female mountebank. And McBean’s interpretations of the many females encountered along the road are delicious. There are upwards of 20 characters. Cole is the facilitator, making needed accouterments appear and disappear on Marty Burnett’s amazingly utilitarian, yet celestial set. Although certain roles are somewhat identified with certain actors, the switching off is continuous. At various times all play the mystified yet fascinated Henry, whose dahlias, we suspect, lie forlorn and wilted and ultimately abandoned.
The ending of Travels With My Aunt will terrify staid audience members, but as is said, ”Never assume yours is a better morality.” Let us merely revel in the fact that the formerly timorous Henry has many delights before him.
Travels With My Aunt
By Graham Greene
Adapted by Giles Havergal
Directed by David Ellenstein
7pm Wednesdays, 8pm Thursdays-Saturdays, 2pm Saturdays and Sundays, 7pm Sundays through May 7 at North Coast Repertory Theatre, 987 Lomas Santa Fe Drive, Solana Beach.
Tickets: $46-$50 with discounts for military, seniors. Student rush 15 minutes prior to curtain, $15. www.northcoastrep.org or 858-481-1055.
Flash news for lovers of new music
At 7pm Wednesday, Apr 26, UCSD Department of music presents a concert featuring works by Bach and faculty Prof. Lei Liang. The site is the Conrad Prebys Concert Hall in the music building. The artist is harpsichordist and faculty member Takae Ohnishi. Program: Sonatas in G minor., BWV 915 and 1029 and Lei Liang's deliciously titled Some Empty Thoughts of a Person from Edo,
Winged Creatures, Lakescape III, and Parts for a Floating Space. Tickets ($15.50-$10.50, students free) https://tickets.vendini.com/ticket-software.html?t=tix&w=016a0843e5bc0bc15fd2899d9aaa7b97&vqitq=1ceac6cc-a06b-4249-867c-69c74552e51b&vqitp=ff59fe59-9291-40b6-a969-2d9e2b90d160&vqitts=1486411684&vqitc=vendini&vqite=itl&vqitrt=Safetynet&vqith=e39f8630a709b8c0ec44a8c1c2246147&vqitq=3ac128cc-0a36-445d-a8e1-711dfc774696&vqitp=4b594c29-9c9d-46a5-b935-fe906d93152f&vqitts=1489074586&vqitc=vendini&vqite=itl&vqitrt=Safetynet&vqith=2aa70836fac180e3d548fbabc4f680d5
At 7pm Wednesday, Apr 26, UCSD Department of music presents a concert featuring works by Bach and faculty Prof. Lei Liang. The site is the Conrad Prebys Concert Hall in the music building. The artist is harpsichordist and faculty member Takae Ohnishi. Program: Sonatas in G minor., BWV 915 and 1029 and Lei Liang's deliciously titled Some Empty Thoughts of a Person from Edo,
Winged Creatures, Lakescape III, and Parts for a Floating Space. Tickets ($15.50-$10.50, students free) https://tickets.vendini.com/ticket-software.html?t=tix&w=016a0843e5bc0bc15fd2899d9aaa7b97&vqitq=1ceac6cc-a06b-4249-867c-69c74552e51b&vqitp=ff59fe59-9291-40b6-a969-2d9e2b90d160&vqitts=1486411684&vqitc=vendini&vqite=itl&vqitrt=Safetynet&vqith=e39f8630a709b8c0ec44a8c1c2246147&vqitq=3ac128cc-0a36-445d-a8e1-711dfc774696&vqitp=4b594c29-9c9d-46a5-b935-fe906d93152f&vqitts=1489074586&vqitc=vendini&vqite=itl&vqitrt=Safetynet&vqith=2aa70836fac180e3d548fbabc4f680d5