Felicity’s Score: 4/5 IV drips
Dr. Vivian Bearing has lived a life of academic esteem; valuing erudite excellence of kindness until her world is shaken by late stage ovarian cancer. Clock & Spiel Productions presents us with a memorable piece of reflective theatre; bringing methodology to literature and poetry to science.
As a literature specialist, dedicating her life to the works of John Donne (who, in the words of Dr. Bearing, makes Shakespeare’s sonnets read like Hallmark cards), she has left little room for poetry in her personal life. Being put through unimaginable pain and humiliation at the brink of certain death, she is forced to reconcile what is really worth anything in life. Is it academic success? Or, in the end, was it kindness? Dr. Bearing certainly didn’t spend any excess time on frivolous niceties, opting instead to be arduous and demanding, bringing out the best in herself and others at her university.
The script leaves no mystery in terms of plot, indeed, Dr. Vivian Bearing (Ward) is very open from the start that she will not survive her cancer treatment. Yet, with Helen Tonkin’s steady hand at directing, the smooth transitions allow for other moments to purposefully jolt us so that when tragedy does strike – it takes our breath away. The use of whiteboards (thank you, Kaitlin Symons, on costume & props design), doubles as a lecture hall and quick walls in the hospital that aid the efficient and effective movement throughout the script. I’m not sure I quite track the progression when apathetic and exacting Dr. Posner flips to passionate philosopher on science, but ensemble scenes between Dr. Posner (Chantelle Jamieson), Dr. Kelekian (Yannick Lawry) and ensemble, create relieving humour propped up by the excellent work from Ward. Aside from Ward’s incredible performance, Hailey McQueen and Jan Langford-Penny provide the perfect partnership as nurse and mentor – both create sincere and gracious alternatives to the stringent way in which Dr. Bearing has lived her life and interpreted the world.
Seymour Centre houses Margaret Edson’s Pulitzer Prize winner Wit until October 26. Bring tissues.
Felicity Anderson, Theatre Now
16 – 26 Oct 2019
Venue: Seymour Centre
Theatre Company: Clock & Spiel Productions
Duration: 95 mins (no interval)
Ticket Prices:
Adults – $53
MEAA/other concession/groups 6+ – $48
Students (up to 18 years) – $26 (including teachers with groups of 6+)
plus booking fee
Wed-Sat 7.30pm and 2pm matinees Sat 19 (with Q+A) & 26 Oct
School shows – 11am Tue 22 + Thur 24 October (with Q+A)
By Margaret Edson
Vivian Bearing is 50 and in her prime. She has dedicated her life to deciphering and interpreting the metaphysical poetry of John Donne and is a highly respected Professor at the height of her career as an English literary scholar. But she’s just found out she’s dying.
This powerfully imagined play is cuttingly funny and beautifully poignant. It is not primarily a play about cancer, nor about the wit of John Donne – it is a play about the value of human warmth, the balance between head and heart; a play about life, not death. Twenty years after winning the Pulitzer Prize, Wit is as powerful and relevant as ever – to all of us.
“Every once in a while a play comes along that bonds people together in extraordinary ways. The play isn’t a tearful lecture on how to die; it’s a dry-eyed lesson on how to live–with simplicity and kindness.” The Boston Globe
“….a genuinely life-enhancing play about death.” The Guardian UK
“A one-of-a-kind experience: wise, thoughtful, witty and wrenching.” Vincent Canby, The New York Times Year in Review
