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Regional Reviews: San Francisco A Delicious Production of Anatol Also see Richard's review of Rumors
Anatol (Mike Ryan) is a supreme egocentric Viennese philanderer who just lives for pleasure in late 19th century Vienna. This man knows the art of seduction, adultery, infidelity and betrayal and we see him encounter a series of mistresses, all played brilliantly by Delia MacDougal. His prime ambition is to find the perfect faithful lover, which seems an impossible task. This amoral character would be a perfect patient for Dr. Sigmund Freud. Director Barbara Oliver has handsomely staged this production with just four actors on the three-sided intimate stage of the theatre. It takes a while to warm up to Anatol and his friend Max (Tim Kniffin), since there are a lot of high-blown speeches between these two that are almost operatic in style. Anatol just is not enthralling enough to make this romp as funny as might be envisioned. He actually seems to be total bore. However, once his first mistress (Delia MacDougall) comes onto the scene the play becomes a comic delight. Anatol e hypnotizes her to make sure she's not cheating on him. There are many wonderful scenes following, including Anatol wooing two women at once and having to rush through two suppers and two rendezvous each night. Another scene has Anatol staging a breakup with a ballet dancer only to realize she has another affair with a member of the ballet corps. Delia MacDougall does a fantastic job playing a not so naïve 19-year-old who submits to hypnotism, a Slavic circus performer, and a ballerina who loves oysters and fine wine. She steals the show with her superb performances of all of the female characters. Tim Kniffin is wonderfully droll as Anatol's close friend Max. You could say he is Anatol's wing man and the narrator of his friend's love life. He does so with great delicacy. Mike Ryan does what he can with Anatol, but it seems the character is not developed enough beyond a contradictory bundle of incredible impractical ideals and pessimistic doubts. Wiley Naman Strasser livens up several scenes as a waiter. Barbara Oliver's direction is sharp, and she makes full use of the three sides of the stage, with scenes shifting effortlessly from one apartment to another, or a restaurant or street scene defined by John Iacovelli's rotating set on the back wall in pleasing red and blue. Period costumes by Anna Oliver are beautiful, especially the gowns worn by Delia MacDougall. Anatol is an evening of charming entertainment with some flashes of intelligences to add luster. Anatol runs through May 13th at the Aurora Theatre, 2081 Addison Street, Berkeley. For tickets call 510-843-4822 or visit www.auroratheatre.org. Their next production will be the world premiere of Mark Jackson's Salomania opening on June 15th.
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