Jerusalem
The Edge Theatre: 4/24 – 5/24
Augustus Truhn as Johnny "Rooster" Byron
Set in a dump of an English trailer park
on St. George’s Day, Jez Butterworth’s “Jerusalem” is a richly imagined,
provocative work of art.
It’s an allegorical wake-up call bellowed
from a bull horn and hammered on a copper drum that cries out for the change a
bit of civil disobedience… or some spiritual giants … can create.
The play opens and closes with visits from
the local authorities who, threaten to evict Johnny “Rooster” Byron from his
squalid trailer park digs.
Augustus Truhn’s performance in the
central role of Rooster is cause for celebration. Truhn is one of Colorado’s
finest actors and it’s thrilling to see him in a role that
Some may find Rooster a Christ figure
while others may confine themselves to the idea that he is rather a
slacker/ne’er do well in the vein of a pied piper such as the Fagin of Charles
Dickens’ “Oliver.” Is it possible that he’s an amalgam of the two? You decide.
And although the mostly young misfits and
outcasts attracted to Rooster’s shabby sylvan oasis find it full of Dionysian
perversion including drugs and alcohol they also find a certain camaraderie and
sense of belonging that’s missing in the homes of their uncaring dysfunctional
families. So one might ask ‘what is the great perversion?’ Could it be simply refusing to accept the rules of a
reality that don’t work for its citizens in a society spinning out of control filled
with thug-driven machines intent on destruction?
The sound of the language that wordsmith
Butterworth puts in the mouths of his characters is delicious to the ear, and
although there are multiple profanities within it, the unfamiliar slang terms
make one feel as if he were hearing our mother tongue for the first time.
Christopher
Waller’s outstanding set design describing the squalor in which ‘the dude
abides’ (sorry!) is enhanced by the lighting and sound designs of Kevin Taylor
and Ren Manley respectively.
Director Warren Sherrill has done a great
job casting the show. His pacing works most of the time even when doing battle
with Butterworth’s rather lengthy play.
“Jerusalem” comes with high
recommendations from this reviewer’s desk.
The Edge Theater
presents
"Jerusalem"
Apr. 24 - May 24*
Fri./Sat. @ 8 p.m.;
Sun. @ 6 p.m.
No Show on Sunday, May
10 / Industry Night, Mon., May 11 @ 8 p.m.
Tickets: $26/ $16 on
May 11
The Edge Theatre,
1560 Teller Street, Suite 200, Lakewood CO 80214. Free Parking.
For
mature audiences
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