By Angela Salazar Daily Bruin Senior Staff
If two best friends fighting over the same woman sounds like a
TV talk show theme, then Shakespeare was the original Jerry
Springer.
In his comedy, "The Two Gentlemen of Verona," Shakespeare deals
with the premises of love, lust and friendship. Renewed for the
stage, "Two Gentlemen" will be appearing at the Eclectic Company
Theatre beginning this Friday.
"Even though it was written so long ago, many of the stories
hold up today. That’s obviously what makes Shakespeare so
appealing. He just taps into something that’s part of human
nature," Patrick Handcock, who plays the lead character of
Valentine, said in a recent telephone interview.
Updated and set in 1920s Italy, the play revolves around two
best friends, Valentine and Proteus, who travel from their homes in
Verona to the wealthy city of Milan where Valentine is to take a
position with the Duke. While there, both Valentine and Proteus
fall for the Duke’s daughter, Silvia, causing Proteus to stray from
his love, Julia. The trouble begins when Valentine and Silvia
decide to elope and Proteus attempts to foil their plans.
"As a comedy, the play is problematic, particularly because one
of the main characters (Proteus) – although you’re supposed to like
the guy – does some pretty despicable things," said producer Brian
Pope.
Director James Serpento also found problems with certain aspects
of the play, including Shakespeare’s geography of Italy.
"There are a number of things in the play that can really only
be put down to carelessness on Shakespeare’s part," Serpento
said.
One of the most complex parts of the play occurs in the final
climactic scene with the three lovers, Valentine, Silvia and
Proteus who endeavor to resolve their conflicts. In this scene,
Proteus attempts to force himself on Silvia before Valentine saves
her.
"You’re going along and it’s a nice, light comedy. Then
suddenly, there’s attempted rape and two best friends fight it
out," said Pope about the final scene.
"The final act is one of the criticisms of the play and is also
one of the most intriguing parts of the play," Handcock said. "I
had to, as an actor, take away my own judgement from modern-day
thinking."
Although the final act often receives criticism and can be
difficult to perform, it also illustrates the play’s main theme. It
shows the strength and durability of love and friendship.
"That bond (between Valentine and Proteus) comes within just a
hair of breaking and yet does not quite break; it comes back,"
Handcock said.
Despite receiving critical reviews in the past, the play has
become popular among actors, according to Serpento.
"I think the reason (actors enjoy the play) is because it’s got
four very compelling central characters and it has not one, but
two, clowns, and it’s got a wonderfully challenging final scene,"
Serpento said.
Actors are not the only ones who enjoy the play’s comedy and
themes. Audiences may be surprised at the charm and relevance of
the play also, as Serpento found.
"When I first read the play, I was prepared to hate it because I
had read the critical response; I was surprised at how much I liked
it," Serpento said.
Serpento has worked hard to get through the difficulties of the
play and to arrive at a final product. He knew when first agreeing
to direct "Two Gentlemen" that it was not going to be easy.
"I think Jack Lemmon said, ‘When I read a script, if I don’t
know how to do it, I know it’s a good script,’ and that’s the
response I had with reading ‘Two Gentlemen,’" Serpento said. "I
thought, ‘I don’t really know how to do this. We’re going to have
to get in and get dirty with the play and see what’s there.’"
Serpento, an actor, writer and director from Chicago, has made
it one of his life goals to work on all the plays of Shakespeare in
some form or another.
"Whether it’s in the theater or in film, I think I’m about a
third of the way at this point," Serpento said.
For this rendition of the play, the final scene is not the only
thing that has been problematic. Setting a final cast was difficult
due to the untimely lure of television acting prospects in L.A.
"We cast some folks and no sooner had we cast them then pilot
season struck and took them away from us," Serpento said.
This hindrance has not kept the show from continuing, however,
and has left Serpento with a devoted cast.
"The positive thing, I think, is that the cast has sifted down
to the ones who have been with the show and are with the show now.
They’re a terribly strong group and are very committed," Serpento
said. "I’m told that in L.A., that’s sometimes hard to come
by."
THEATER: "The Two Gentlemen of Verona" opens April 7 at The
Eclectic Company Theatre in North Hollywood and runs through May
21. Shows play on Friday and Saturday at 8 p.m. and Sunday at 3
p.m. Tickets are $12 and $10 for students and seniors. For more
information, call (818) 508-3003.