By: George F Walker
Director: Jennifer Tarver
Principle Actors: Rick Roberts, Andrew Shaver, John Vickery, Sarah Orenstein, Amanda Lisman, Oliver Becker
Company: Stratford Shakespeare Festival Of Canada
Venue: Studio Theatre
Run: August 12th - October 3rd 2009

Zastrozzi, Zastrozzi, Zastrozzi. Hmmm. What an interesting play. An audience warning, like those you get before reality TV shows might be in order here - Zastrozzi is for a mature audience who doesn't mind theatre to be challenging and somewhat mind blowing.

In the crevices of playwright George F Walker's genius/insanity, he has plucked the premise of Percy Shelley's novel Zastrozzi and metamorphasized the character into a play set perfectly for the edgy productions the Studio Theatre at the Stratford Festival of Canada is known for.

In 1893, Zastrozzi is Europe's most dangerous criminal. An atheist, he works as a representative to Percy Shelley's own thoughts on atheism. Zastrozzi has a three year obsession tracking down painter and religious zealot Verezzi. What looks on the surface like a simple case of the unholy smiting the holy, actually turns out to be a case of revenge as Zastrozzi's mother was viciously killed by Verezzi and his father. In a pleasurable delusion Verezzi has created, he believes God is speaking through him with his artwork.

Matilda, Zastrozzi's part-time love interest, plays an interesting foil to his self-righteous beliefs and the rage he seeks to take out on those around him. Matilda actually desires the dark side of Zastrozzi as she feels that is where her own potential exists, but her truest weakness is that she has a weakness for Zastrozzi which he can manipulate. Another love interest of both Zastrozzi and Verezzi is the somewhat naive Julia, who on first glance seems vacuous, but in truth expresses a great sense of intelligence and goes against her virginal stereotype.

The small cast of six put entire histories into their characters performances. Stunning portrayals were seen by every single person on stage. Whether it be newcomers to Stratford like Andrew Shaver or Rick Roberts (Verezzi and Zastrozzi respectively) or the talented John Vickery as Victor, every actor brought their every fibre to these characters. Rick Roberts, known for his film and television credits was absolutely delicious as Zastrozzi, playing the role as intended, with a certain Rasputin energy, being both hypnotizing and dangerous at the same time.

Sarah Orenstein as Matilda and Amanda Lisman as Julia must have revelled playing such overwhelmingly complex and rich roles for the female counterparts of this story. Even more interesting was to watch how different and yet similar these women, who ultimately fight to the death, have in their personalities. The pairing of Andrew Shaver's Verezzi and his protector, a priest by the name of Victor, played by Vickery was a delight to watch as Shaver played up his creative fool to Vickery's very sober performance in contrast.

Ultimately the play, played well, is what makes Zastrozzi so exciting, enticing, enigmatic, intelligent and erotic. Director Jennifer Tarver is exceptional in her own right as you can see her craftsmanship and discerning eye for quality performances in every scene of this production. Zastrozzi is both captivating and surreal. The best play of the season, but not for every theatre goers tastes. If you enjoy avant-garde, or productions with incredibly bold themes, then this is the play well worth searching out this season at the Stratford Shakespeare Festival of Canada.

Written by :

Kindah

 

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