By Carol Davis
SAN DIEGO — Diversionary Theatre in the Hillcrest neighborhood is presenting Christopher Marlow’s epic work Edward II, with Richard Baird directing. Somehow epic and Baird go together naturally. Baird founded Poor Players whose mission it was to produce the works of Shakespeare.
In fact between his directing and acting some 20 or more shows were mounted by Baird and Poor Players to critical
acclaim. Absent from the San Diego scene, he returns every now and then to either direct or act in our local theatres and it’s at these time that we realize how much we miss not having his talent around all the time. He’s back in San Diego now fulfilling one of his dreams: that of mounting Edward II.
The actual title of Marlow’s play is Edward II: The Troublesome Reign and Lamentable Death of Edward the Second, King of England, with the Tragic Fall of Proud Mortimer. Now there’s a mouthful for you, and with it comes all the intrigue, infighting, backstabbing, revolutionary schemes, name-calling, infidelity and corruption worthy of any 14th century kingdom.
Making matters worse, as if they could get any worse, the good King Edward (Ross Hellwig) fancies the company of
men to the company of women much to the chagrin his court especially Mortimer (John Ploak). The king would love nothing more than to bring the exiled (by his late father Edward I) French Piers de Gaveston (Dangerfield G. Moore) his lover, back to his court. Over the objections of his advisors who persuade the king
to send him to Ireland, his Queen Isabella, (Alexandra Grossi) thinks it better to keep an eye on him in England rather than his living in Ireland. The ulterior motive is her possibly gaining the favor of the king with that move.
Gaveston is summoned back to Edward’s side where he is bestowed honor upon honor, access to the royal
treasury and given the title The Duke of Cornwall. Unfortunately for the queen, what she saw, she despised as her husbands indulgences caused him to neglect his royal duties while he engaged in mean little battles with his court over his lover which in turn caused the eventual predicament he faced later on.
With the aid of no less than fifteen fine actors (one of the most ambitious Diversionary productions) Baird’s
production rolls out with the newly crowned King giving one of his first orders that of bringing Gaveston back to his court and making him his constant companion and sidekick.
Keeping that in mind, there’s not a chance in hell that this guy isn’t going to get resistance and resentment from
those around him who stand to lose their own status. And in those days that translated into anarchy, civil war and murder. Against that background, that’s exactly what happened.
Plots fold and unfold. Conspiracies, ambushes, harsh words, dirty laundry, church mockery, tyranny,
family fidelity and loyalty are all on the line and spelled out in this gutsy production. Oft times the unexpected becomes the norm and turn about is fair play. Everyone in this finely tuned production is able to keep the tensions high given the limits of the small Diversionary stage where the actors disappear into a backdrop of curtains (Matt Scott designed the set) only to reappear through another set of curtains which act as doors of sorts.
As the plot thickens, those who have want more, and those who have not want what those who have, and in the end Gaveston gets killed, the king is ambushed and killed, and his wife the queen (who took part in the plot against the king her husband) gets sent to the tower by her son, Edward III (Steve Smith is too old looking to be believed
as a 14 year old especially standing next to the willowy Grossi) for conspiring against his father. Just another day in paradise!
At first look everything appears regal. Howard Schmitt’s costumes are royally fit for monarchs and attendants and
Michelle Caron’s lighting design give them an added sheen. Alexandra Grossi looks regal and elegant in her queenly attire especially as the young and somewhat naïve queen who takes Mortimer as her own lover after all is said and done.
Grossi, a recent New York ‘transplant’ moves into her final undoing with a very strong and convincing
performance but as she ages, her painted white face and very hard lines become a distraction.
As Edward II Ross Hellwig is perfect as the monarch who pushes duty aside and instead rules with his heart
by putting his lover Gaveston above all his royal duties. His mood swings and his actions show the confidence of a seasoned actor. Hellwig has done his fair share of Shakespeare and it shows. Poliak’s Mortimer the most power hungry of the lot is consistent and convincing. In fact his is one of the strongest and most consistent of the noblemen but he too, gets his just due in the end.
Ronnie Larson is a hoot as theBishop (he also plays several other characters) and Moore is perfect as Gaveston, who along with Noah Longton as Young Spencer are the perfect playmates for Edward’s pleasure. But for a few dropped lines on opening night, all went like clock work.
It’s no surprise that Marlow’s 1590play lasts almost three hours. So much to do and so little time, but Baird and
his skillful ensemble, including some pretty believable sword gamesmanship (Jeff Anthony Miller) was pulled off with panache and grit that so bears the Baird trade mark. It’s not Shakespeare but then again what’s in a name?
Diversionary’s production of Edward II is more than worthy of your consideration.
See you at the theatre.
Dates: Through Oct. 2nd
Organization: Diversionary Theatre
Phone: 619-220-0097
Production Type: Historical Drama
Where: 4545 Park Blvd. San Diego, CA 92116
Ticket Prices: $31.00-$45.00
Web: diversionary.org