REP takes on the challenge of 'A Child's Guide to Heresy'
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Daina Michelle Griffith stars as Madelaine the Pure/Mother and David Cabot as Mikael Ben Maliaechom in The REP's "A Child's Guide to Heresy." -
Daryll Heysham is Constantus Eschwood and the playwright, Kendrew Lascelles, is Tannegut/Monk in "A Child's Guide to Heresy."
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Kendrew Lascelles' novel "A Child's Guide to Heresy" is a sweeping tale of religion and the occult in 13th-century England, in which a young boy becomes a pawn in a bishop's devilish plans. It moves from a humble home to a cathedral's inner sanctum to a conjurer's lair.
Then, there are the forest scenes with killer wolves, one of the challenges facing The REP as it presents the world premiere stage adaptation of "Heresy."
"I think the biggest challenge is not only keeping Kendrew's voice in this but there's the production values. How do you represent wolves on the stage? Those kind of artistic challenges are things that intrigue me and our guys kind of live for that," said Ronald-Allan Lindblom, artistic director of The REP, the professional company of Point Park University.
- Where: Rauh Theatre, Pittsburgh Playhouse, 222 Craft Ave., Oakland.
- When: Sept. 8 preview, Sept. 9-25. 8 p.m. Thursdays through Saturdays and 2 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays.
- Tickets: $24-$27; 412-392-8000
The company has the benefit of the playwright's presence to help with the lyrical prose, which comes from his UK roots. Mr. Lascelles is part of the company as an actor, joining his friend and director Robert Miller for the project.
Mr. Lindblom came to the story through a glowing review of the novel and Mr. Miller, a Point Park Distinguished Master Artist in Residence this year, read the book around the same time. Mr. Miller's first directing job had been a pair of Mr. Lascelles' one-act plays, in which the writer also acted, and they also worked together on the 2001 film "Focus," from a novel by Arthur Miller.
Sitting side by side recently in Mr. Lindblom's office, the friends were a study in contrasts. The wiry Mr. Miller was a bundle of energy in a loose, untucked blue shirt, tapping his foot in various rhythms and speaking quickly and clearly. Mr. Lascelles was decked out in all-black Western gear, from pointy-toed boots to the tip of his cowboy hat. His hands were folded comfortably over crossed legs; his English accent was soft, his answers measured.
First Published September 5, 2011 12:00 am
