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Regional Reviews: Los Angeles Mysterious CircumstancesGeffen Playhouse
Richard (Alan Tudyk), a world-renowned Holmes scholar, has been looking for the "lost box" of author Arthur Conan Doyle (Austin Durant), which is thought to contain unseen stories, letters and an autobiography. It's Richard's Holy Grail, but other Holmes collectors, such as the American (Hugo Armstrong), are also actively seeking it. When Richard is unexpectedly contacted by Doyle's daughter, Dame Jean (Helen Sadler), he feels like his long-sought dream may be coming true. But not long after that, his life comes to an abrupt end. Tudyk is terrific as the lonely and obsessed Richard, expert in all of his comedic scenes but also quietly moving in the moments when the character's longing for real human connection shines just below the surface. Durant is quite good as Doyle, both in amusing scenes as a successful author rebuffing his agent and also serious ones in which he struggles to deal with his wife's terminal illness. Hugo Armstrong and Leo Marks each excel in multiple roles, the former as the sinister-seeming American and especially as the kindly Doyle fan Gibner, and the latter as a chatty taxi driver and a somewhat threatening dentist. Ramiz Monsef is very good as the steadfast Watson and Richard's lover Henry, and Sadler does fine work as the elderly Dame Jean and Doyle's dying wife. Shakman's direction is dazzling, from the impressive opening set piece ending in a vertical view of Richard dead on the floor to the seamless way he transitions from location to location, using all of the theatrical tools he has available masterfully. Brett J. Banakis' handsome library set creates an appropriately bibliophilic ambience, and Jonathan Snipes' original music (a percussive series of plucked strings) adds propulsive tension. Mitnick adds plenty of effective humor and incisive character writing to this fascinating true story, but the attempt to create a more positive ending (presumably so the audience can leave feeling happier) to what is essentially the tale of an unsolved death merely adds a few extraneous scenes. Overall, however, this is a very entertaining and expertly produced show, and it should be a big hit for the Geffen Playhouse. Mysterious Circumstances, through July 14, 2019, at Geffen Playhouse, 10886 Le Conte Ave, Los Angeles CA. For tickets and information, visit www.geffenplayhouse.org. Playwright: Michael Mitnick Cast: |
