NOTE: “Today” and “tonight” mean Friday, July 26. “Saturday and Sunday refer to July 27 and 28.
PORT ANGELES — “Becket” is no easy show, says director John Manno. But it is, in his word, enrapturing.
The play, opening tonight for two weekends at the Port Angeles Community Playhouse, introduces us to England’s King Henry II and his bosom friend — and later enemy — Thomas Becket. Their story is one of morality versus power, and what it means to have principles and stay true to them. It’s about being part of a nation’s ruling class.
“Becket” tackles “all kinds of good stuff that still resonates very strongly today,” said Manno, who has brought together a young, intense group of actors.
Anna Unger, who portrays Becket’s mistress Gwendolyn, was already a dancer, actor and choreographer. She learned to play the harp for “Becket,” noted Manno, also a harpist.
Several cast members learned Latin and Gregorian chant for this play, added Manno.
“Becket,” written by Jean Anouilh, will take the stage at 7:30 tonight and Saturday as well as next Friday and Saturday night, Aug. 2-3. Matinees are slated for 2 p.m. both this Sunday and next Sunday, Aug. 4.
Admission is a free-will donation at the door of the Port Angeles Community Playhouse, 1235 E. Lauridsen Blvd. Due to adult themes and situations, the play is not suitable for children.
This is a second-stage production with a longer run than those Manno has directed in Port Angeles. He said audiences have expressed disappointment that the playhouse only had one weekend of shows such as Jean-Paul Sartre’s “No Exit” and Henrik Ibsen’s “The Master Builder.”
“Becket” stars Zachary Luke King Moorman in the title role, Sean Peck-Collier as King Henry II and Amy Meyer as Eleanor of Aquitaine, the king’s wife. Lola Hassan-Adams portrays Queen Maud of England, Henry’s mother; Ean Henninger is King Louis VII of France; Tim Macausland is Gilbert Folliot, Bishop of London; and Daniel Iredale and Robert Stephens appear in many supporting roles.
The drama is set circa 1170, but “it is a timeless play,” said Manno.
This production is a departure from the usual staging, the director said, adding that it doesn’t much resemble the 1964 movie with Peter O’Toole and Richard Burton.
Usually it’s done with “a cast of thousands. I focused it and concentrated it on only a few characters,” said Manno, “in modern dress, to bring out the immediacy of its message.”
The set hasn’t the typical frills, either. Manno has cut such things back to emphasize the people and their interactions.
This “Becket” is “powerful, moving, emotional . . . My cast is doing an amazingly great job,” Manno added. “They’ve worked so very, very hard on it.”
To find out more about “Becket” and other Port Angeles Community Playhouse productions, see www.PACommunityPlayers.com or phone the playhouse at 360-452-6651.
