Bluebeard (Sir Halewyn)

Photo: Jiri Sediak

= Michel de Ghelderode’s play Bluebeard (Sir Halewyn) was first produced in 1934. It’s based on the famous story of the serial killer who knocks off his wives but meets his match in his final murderess wife - but the connection is unclear. The script anticipates by decades the current vogue for mythical, vaguely medieval fantasy. Unfortunately, to our ears its dialogue is adolescent kitsch, lacking specificity, written for effect instead of being based in concept. Of course, our disappointment is due partly to the fact that this flavor has become popular - but, in addition, the writing genuinely fails. It lacks depth, as if Ghelderode was unwilling to commit to his undeveloped concept. 

But this expressionist production from the J. K. Tyl Theatre, Pilsen, with its ominous dark visuals, nearly saves the piece. Natalia Deakova’s direction is certainly creative - as Sir Halewyn, Ondrej Rychly roams around the theater, appearing in the audience, at one point dangling his legs over the balcony railing. And Lukas Kuchina’s spare set works well - the bare, black stage seems to have no back. These characters have no context - they’re epic, surrounded only by a darkness that extends forever. The lighting is stark and stunning, and the costumes (by Jana Smetanova) are great - when Sir Halewyn takes off his heavy black coat with the thick collar, he’s bare-chested. And at one point the central actress is dragged across the stage on her huge fur coat.

Let’s hope the J. K. Tyl Theatre finds material worthy of it - I’m looking forward to it.

 review
Steve Capra
September 2019
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