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The Master Builder
By Henrik Ibsen
Adapted and performed by David J. Amaral, Daiva Bhandari, Blake Montgomery, and Meghan Raham
Produced by The Building Stage
412 N. Carpenter St.
Chicago, IL
Tickets: 312-491-1369 or www.buildingstage.com, $20
Fri-Sat at 8:00, Sun at 7:00 (Thurs June 5th and 12th at 8:00)
Running time is 95 minutes with no intermission
Through June 14th
World Premiere Adaptation is World Class Ibsen
The Building Stage’s world premiere adaptation of Henrik Ibsen’s classic, “The Master Builder,” is as fine a production of this mysterious work as one is likely to see. It is a lively and interesting ensemble adaptation that strips away most of “The Mater Builder’s” considerable period baggage to reveal the essence of its psychological drama and its enigmatic commentary on the nature of human discontent. This is no small feat. The company, led by artistic director Blake Montgomery, has not only done away with the massive Victorian-era mansion of the original, but also distilled seven characters for play by four actors and cut the three-act play to an intensely engaging 95 minutes. The minimalist result is a clean and robust presentation of the theme that proves the adage that less can sometimes be more.
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The story centers on architect Halvard Solness (Blake Montgomery), a man in the prime of his life who seems to have everything he has dreamed of – everything that is, except happiness. Instead of relishing his exalted position in society, Solness is guilt-ridden by the ghosts of his ambition and terrified of being replaced by his young apprentice Ragnar (David J. Amaral). His marriage to Aline Solness (Meghan Raham) is loveless and he lives his oh-so-lucky life on the edge of madness. Solness is a user. Everyone around him is there to serve a need of his. Did he attract them for his vanity? Or, are they the arms of fate who are actually using him? Are they even real? Ibsen’s “The Master Builder” is theatre of the mind. It creates intriguing questions; gives up no answers. There is a surreal quality at the very core of “The Master Builder” – as in much of Ibsen’s work – and The Building Stage adaptation magnifies these qualities to get to greater truth.
The action is staged on a flat, bright-white set with few props. Costume changes are performed within audience view by actors portraying multiple roles. The sophisticated, but simple lighting design and the darkly beautiful acid-jazz soundtrack are elegant and effective. This production exudes style and taste. The ensemble is strong and mostly evenly matched. Montgomery is the most natural as the tormented Solness, but his is the central role and he the only actor responsible for but one character. Daiva Bhandari does masterful work differentiating two of Solness’ love inetersts: Kaja, the finacee of Ragnar whom Solness may have wooed to keep Ragnar in his employ, and Hilde, the mystical young girl turned seductress from Solness’ past whose arrival drives Solness toward his fateful demise.
If you are looking for an evening of light fun at the theatre this is not the show for you. “The Master Builder” is for a sophisticated audience who likes its theatre thought-provoking and its productions inventive. It is in no way elitist or snooty, however. Quite the opposite, everything about The Building Stage’s “The Master Builder” is totally accessible. Everyone can easily understand what is going on; it’s simply that – just as in life itself – there are no concrete answers. It’s great Ibsen and Ibsen is great theatre.
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED
Randy Hadwick
randyontheglobe@yahoo.com for comments
Date Reviewed: May 18, 2008
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