| Re: "A glimmer of hope: Far Away captures paranoia fed by ignorance," by Jeff Kubik, Theatre, March 23-29, 2006.
The only thing "disturbingly surreal" about Theatre Junction’s presentation of Far Away was reading it praised in Fast Forward by Jeff Kubik. Based on his review, I felt like I had seen a different play. This coupled with the fact that Kubik's only criticism of the hollow play was the acting proficiency of an 11-year-old girl.
The opening scene of the production was mildly affecting. A dialogue between a young girl and her aunt is used to create a sinister mood. I became mildly intrigued when the discussion alluded to some type of act of violence committed in a woodshed by the girl’s uncle. The set’s cabin-in-the-woods backdrop also gave me an eerie feeling, given the effectiveness it had through its simplicity. It was only when the first act came near to a close that I realized the only thing truly surreal about the scene was indeed the set – a bad sign. It continued to spiral downward from there, leaving me after all 55 minutes of it feeling deceived.
I attended this play because my mother gave me her tickets. I read a couple of reviews in the New York Times, but didn’t research it any further than that. I like to watch plays and films before reading their reviews. I left feeling as though I watched a play written by an elitist playwright who writes for people who share her same elitist perspective. This play is a mockery of the incredible subversive, socially responsible, risky and powerful art that is available for public consumption today.
Kubik’s review includes a famous quote by Benjamin Franklin suggesting that people are simply handing their personal freedom away. As if people today are giving up their liberty by choice. What is going on in the world pre- and post 9/11 is not being propagated by the common man/woman. People who do not have to suffer the effects of a culture of fear are the very people responsible for creating it for its citizens. These same people, I imagine, would enjoy Far Away, as it apparently was written by and for them.
I am not even going to get into the acting. It was forced, empty and uncomfortable to watch. I do not blame the actors, however, for attempting to do what they could with such a ridiculous script – I am hoping that was the excuse for what I witnessed.
I would not recommend this play to anyone. I would like my 55 minutes back, as well as the time I spent reading Kubik’s irresponsible, empty review. If you are looking for an artistic interpretation of our increasingly tragic world, then do yourself a favour and don’t waste your time with this one – you will walk away feeling insulted and ridiculed.
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