Theater review: ‘Never More’ at Rogue Machine Theatre
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The word “utopia,” that imaginary site of perfection, comes from the Greek, meaning “not a place.” And it’s this essential irony that playwright Phyllis Nagy hopes to catch in “Never Land,” her tedious poetic ramble, in which psychologically fragmented characters long to find a better elsewhere.
Let’s peek in on the crazy, financially strapped Joubert family in their misleadingly grand home in the south of France (tastefully appointed by scenic designer Frederica Nascimento). Grown daughter Elisabeth (Katherine Tozer) is taking a bath in the living room and spouting shards of high-flown nonsense. Henri (Bradley Fisher), her formally attired, world-weary father, is aghast at his daughter’s nakedness and concerned about her new suitor, who’s expected later that day. Anne (Lisa Pelikan), Elisabeth’s haughty, alcoholic mother, cares primarily about her next bottle and firing nasty rejoinders.
Just as the title characters of Chekhov’s “Three Sisters” passively dream of Moscow, the Jouberts futilely fantasize about hightailing it to England. Elisabeth pretends she’s running off to London to marry her abusive beau, Michael (William Christopher Stephens), while Henri tries to get a job as the manager of a bookshop in Bristol, owned by the Canton-Smiths. This cheerful bourgeoise English couple (played by Christopher Shaw and Shannon Holt) pay a visit to the Jouberts and struggle to maintain a smiling equanimity in the face of so much violent eccentricity.
Nagy directs this American premiere of her 1998 play at a glacial place that only exacerbates the work’s pretentiousness. It’s like one of those high-strung T.S. Eliot verse dramas, though written in a stilted prose that aims for flamboyant effects rather than lyrical precision.
The actresses cut sharp outré figures and the entire cast of this Rogue Machine offering demonstrates an admirable commitment. To her credit, Nagy (the writer and director of the Annette Bening-led HBO film “Mrs. Harris” ) succeeds in constructing her own linguistically curious universe. Trouble is, “Never Land” is a torturous locale for anyone to pass through, including the audience.
--Charles McNulty
“Never Land,” Rogue Machine at Theatre/Theater, 5041 Pico Blvd., L.A. 8 p.m. Thursdays to Saturdays, 2 p.m. Sundays. Ends Nov. 15. $25. (323) 960-7774, www.roguemachinetheatre.com. Running time 2 hours, 55 minutes.
