LOVE AMONG THE RUINS
Hearing the vintage recordings of Judy Garland and male crooners singing with society pop orchestras from the post-depression era, coupled with seeing black and white etchings of London skylines projected onto a scrim framed in an elegant art deco-inspired false proscenium, one would expect to see a romantic love story. However, that is not what Love Among the Ruins delivers. There is love, or at least a remembrance of one in the past, but what the play really tackles are the subjects of aging, the breach of promise of matrimony law, and misogyny in British society.
Peter Strauss and JoBeth Williams
Martin Kildare, JoBeth Williams, Peter Strauss
An aged West End actress, Jessica Medlicott, played by JoBeth Williams, being sued by a young man for breach of promise, needs representation and is brought into the office of Sir Arthur Granville-Jones, played by Peter Strauss, by their mutual friend George, played by Martin Kildare. Arthur instantly recognizes the actress as the one-time love of his youth in the time before he completed his schooling and is puzzled when she does not remember him. Despite some anguish, executed with some romantically lit transformative flashbacks (lights by Jared A. Sayeg), he takes the case. In a series of first act scenes, Arthur grills his client in all matters up to and including her relationship with her ex-husband and asks whether there was love in the marriage and if there was sex with Alfred, the young serviceman bringing the case against her. She is taken aback by his aggressive questioning. He explains it as preparation for her time in court and further demands that she tells him the absolute truth. These combat of wills episodes comprise the play’s first act reminding me of the exchanges between Professor Henry Higgins and Eliza in My Fair Lady.
JoBeth Williams and Peter Strauss
The cast of Love Among the Ruins
The second act is a court “light comedy” although with the profoundly serious risk of character and monetary loss to Medlicott, one might expect to be seeing a more dramatic tone. Still, the battle of wills continues between the two as we begin to question whether Arthur’s jealousies are affecting his ability to defend her case. He dismisses Alfred’s mother Fanny from the stand, charmingly played by the very funny Wendy Worthington, and the young man himself, played by C.J. Blaine Eldred, without so much as a cross-examination following what could be very damaging testimonies. As the court adjourns for the day, Arthur instructs Jessica to her surprise to wear a bonnet and dress more dourly. The following morning, she arrives in a bold red dress suit and fascinator in blatant disregard for his instructions. Arthur then calls her to the witness stand where he questions her in such an ageist and sexist demeanor that she refuses to cooperate with him and Judge Philip Tandy, played by Tony Abatemarco, and is taken from the courtroom by the bailiff. Left to his own devices, Arthur conjures up his final plea/argument to the jury. In the tradition of a comedy, they win the case and the two come together.
Tony Abatemarco and Peter Strauss
The leading performances were exceptionally good and a pleasure to watch. Williams brings grace and authority to her role, especially in the sweet and youthful flashbacks. I was however confused as to whether both she and Strauss were playing older at times. Strauss has a great command of the stage, handling both the comedic and dramatic moments with seasoned skill. I enjoyed the endearing quality he brought to his character, not unlike Rex Harrison in both charm and authenticity.
The cast of Love Among the Ruins
At the El Portal Theatre, the sets by Stephen Gifford are architecturally beautiful in their wood tones and grandness. I especially like his use of space. The design of Arthur’s office with its tall windows and bookshelves virtually the height of the proscenium, more representational than realistic, lends a cathedral-like character to the room. The monumental size and solidity of the judge’s bench in the second act courtroom functions nicely as it magnifies the masculine authority in the text. The costumes by Kate Bergh are aesthetically pleasing, especially the leading lady’s. However, they are also confused in their function. Are they exceedingly theatrical because the character was an actress or because she is trying hard to look young? I also found the officer’s uniform and his mother’s costume to be over the top. The staging by director Michael Arabian is good but the indeterminate tone of this James G. Hirsch and Robert A. Papazian adaptation from a script by James Costigan proves to be a challenge he could not yet solve.
photos by Jim Cox
Love Among the Ruins
El Portal Theatre, 5969 Lankershim, Blvd. in North Hollywood
Wed at 2 and 7:30: Thurs at 7:30, Fri at 8: Sat at 2 & 8; Sun at 1:30 & 6:30
ends on November 5, 2023
for tickets, call 818.508.4200 or visit El Portal and Love among the Ruins
