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Denmark
By Charles Smith
Directed by Dennis Zacek
At Victory Gardens Theater at the Biograph
2433 N. Lincoln Ave.
Chicago, IL
Call 773-871-300, tickets $35 - $45
Tuesdays through Thursdays at 7:30 PM
Fridays at 8 PM
Saturdays at 5 & 8:30 PM
Sundays at 3 PM
Two 2 PM matinees on Wednesday, Nov, 1 & 8
Running time is 2 hours 20 minutes with intermission
Through November 12, 2006
Splendid play opens beautiful new theater
The newly remolded Biograph Theatre, a magnificent new 299 seat venue boast outstanding acoustics and a large and deep stage giving Victory Gardens Theater the ability to mount large scale theatrical events. Their initial show, Denmark by Charles Smith, is a worthy serious play signaling that Victory Gardens is staying true to its commitment to produce new plays with social impact. Denmark is an interesting historical drama based on the life of Denmark Vesey (1767-1822), a freed slave, carpenter and rugged individualist who concocted a plot to free the 20,000 slaves in Charleston, South Carolina by force of arms.
Playwright Charles Smith presents his version of Denmark’s (played with a wide-ranging emotions by the talented Anthony Fleming III) life. We see him as an intelligent, assertive person filled with self confidence as he asserts his individuality even while still a slave to Captain Vesey (Raoul Johnson). He dreams of gaining his freedom and when he wins $1500 in the lottery, he believes that the Captain will allow him to purchase his freedom. The Captain does since he is an honorable fellow whose attachment to Denmark is more of a father-to-a-son than a master to a slave. Denmark also promises Beck (Velma Austin), his love, her freedom. But events led Denmark to develop his carpentry business first before he can buy Beck from her owner Colonel Monroe (Joe Van Slyke).
Denmark is haunted by the voices from the mystery man he hears speaking in a foreign tongue as a result of his helping the Captain on his slave ship. Reverend Brown (A.C. Smith), who runs the Black church tells Denmark to see the Omar (Kenn E. Head), a voodoo expert for a spell to deal with the voices. Denmark starts to realize that his purpose is to help his people. First Denmark builds a church for Reverend Brown, then he tries to buy Beck’s freedom but the Colonel is much too dependent on her to sell her. Denmark realizes that the Old Testament is the model for him to follow—that he must seize the arms and force the freeing of all 20,000 slaves in 1822 Charleston. He organizes a plot to seize the city’s arsenal so that the guns will lead to freedom and relocation of the slaves.
Denmark is betrayed and arrested. Captain Vesey intercedes on Denmark’s behalf and arranges for him to be exiled if he gives the authorities the complete list of his allies. Denmark is a man whose ethics wouldn’t allow him to do anything but the honorable thing. He lived his life seeing the big picture and following his heart.
The strong cast features stellar performances from Anthony Fleming III whose charismatic Denmark is almost a mythical figure. Fleming exudes charm, confidence and a sense of self assuredness that wins audiences. Joe Van Slyke as the troubled Colonel, Kenn E. Head as Omar and Velma Austin’s Beck offered excellent supporting work.
Denmark’s theme of making social change through working slowly through legal social institutions as Reverend Brown did through his church versus Denmark’s impatient, all-or-nothing rebellious plan to force the establishment to change instantly by use of force is clearly displayed with each philosophy getting its due. The power of rumor, myth and perception plays nicely here. Charles Smith has penned a memorable play that is original and potent. Denmark is a fellow worthy getting to know.
Recommended
Tom Williams
Tom99@chicagocritic.com for comments
Talk Theatre in Chicago podcast
Date Reviewed: October 15, 2006
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