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The Screwtape Letters
By C. S. Lewis
Adapted for the Stage by
Jeffrey Fiske & Max McLean
Produced by Fellowship For the Performing Arts
At the Mercury Theater
3745 N. Southport
Chicago, IL
Call 773-325-1700, tickets $29 - $48.50
Wednesdays thru Fridays at 8 pm
Saturdays at 4 & 8 pm
Sundays at 3 pm
Running time is 90 minutes without intermission
January 4, 2009
Well performed metaphysical work on the nature of good versus evil
C. S. Lewis’ 1942 novel, “The Screwtape Letters,” is a witty and intelligent work by Oxford University professor and staunch Catholic, C. S. Lewis (1898-1963). This monumental work explores the theme of spiritual warfare from a demon’s point of view. Adapted for the stage by Jeffrey Fiske and Max McLean (and staring Mclean as Screwtape), the play is set in an office in hell where a senior devil Screwtape and his secretary Toadpipe ( Yvonne Gougelet) are training an apprentice demon, Wormwood, on how to “undermine faith and prevent the formation of virtues” in a young man who has just converted to Christianity.
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This show makes a spirited attempt to integrate the theology of faith into an enticing theatrical event. Max McLean, a plumy, proud commanding fellow with a booming bass-baritone voice, is the ideal personification of a demon in a smoking jacket. Screwtape has a jaded take on the role of the battle between God and the Devil for mankind’s soul. Told through Screwtape dictating letters for Wormwood. McLean swaggers, paces around flinging his arms, shouting and bellowing as he snipes and cuts off his words to make his points. His disdain for virtue, good deeds and the human spirit gets him to rage into passionate tantrums as he discusses his insights into human foibles. 
Screwtape is assisted by Toadpipe and Yvonne Gougelet is wonderful as the mute female simian like creature wrapped like a mummy. She grunts and groins comments to Scretapes’ utterances as she transcribes his letters.
This witty, sardonic and jaded theatrical work is long on wordy, dense and complex monologues and short on dramatic tension. We have to listen to so many chatty dissertations filled with long-winded very British imagery that we simply get worn out from the density of Screwtape’s diatribes. Boredom set in and many folks in the opening performance fell asleep even at the matinee. While I admire the acting and the intelligent writing, I wonder if this complex work is so longwinded and theoretical that audiences will tune it out? Try as I might, “The Screwtape Letters” lost me early on becoming a tedious, preachy sermon. Devoted Catholics and those who love Lewis’ novel will probably enjoy this show. Max McLean gave a thrilling performance as he tried to make the material palatable. The devil is definitely in the details.
Somewhat Recommended
Tom Williams
Tom99@chicagocritic.com for comments
Talk Theatre in Chicago podcast
Date Reviewed: October 12, 2008
Jeff Recommended
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