British playwright Harold Pinter takes audiences on a journey, one many might not want to take again.
The Rep Stage at Howard Community College presents two of Pinter?s works, “The Collection” and “The Lover,” through Feb. 25. The one-act plays explore issues of trust within relationships.
“The Collection” follows four people through alleged infidelities. A husband investigates his wife?s supposed business trip with a gay fashion designer.
Although the acting and British dialect is of high caliber, the action is lagging. At the conclusion of “The Collection,” the audience is just as baffled as they were at the first line.
Bill Largess, as Harry, balances his partner, Bill, played nervously by Timothy Andres Pabon. Bolton Marsh, as James, invades other characters? personal space to create tension. His onstage wife, Stella, played by Peggy Yates, makes an impact in her minor role.
“The Lover” explores sexuality through role-playing, examining the belief that marital sex is boring. In order to break the monotony, the husband and wife search outside their relationship for steamy tea times. However, like with most of Pinter?s plays, things aren?t always what they seem.
The second play has a promising start. The witty banter between the two actors, Nigel Reed and Marni Penning, is playful and amusing. However, the performances cannot salvage the second half of the play. The dialogue turns into a flat diatribe.
Directed by Xerxes Mehta, the plays contain long, uncomfortable silences. Some are meant to build emotional tension, but others seem unnecessary. These moments break theater?s suspended reality, reminding the audience that they are, in fact, watching a play.
If you go
Two By Pinter: “The Collection” and “The Lover”
» Venue: Howard Community College Black Box Theatre, 10901 Little Patuxent Parkway, Columbia
» Times: 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday, 2:30 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, and 7:30 p.m. Sunday through Feb. 25
» Cost: $12 to $24
» More info: repstage.org
