On
Theatre Row, TACT, which specializes in
revivals of neglected plays, is presenting the first NYC staging of Czech
writer Vaclev Havel’s The
Memorandum since its
debut in the turbulent year of 1968. Set in the offices of a corporation (which
might well be a stand-in for the halls of government, any government), it’s a satire (with elements of farce)
about managerial inefficiency. A new, invented language meant to maximize
clarity is introduced into the system, only there’s a key memo that cannot be
translated without authorization, authorization can’t be given without
assurance that it doesn’t conflict with certain other documents, and such
potential conflict cannot be assessed without a translation. And well-meaning
managing director Josef Gross, who is not a fan of the new language, yet was
somehow persuaded to green-light its use by affixing his signature to a
document he thought would help expedite other matters.
As
happens periodically with TACT productions, the presentation is admirably clean
and uncluttered, and nothing much gets in the way of the written word…yet nothing much enhances
it either. Jenn Thompson’s
direction doesn’t really capture the madness or the menace, lead actor James
Prendergast is likewise efficient but
bland (though to be fair he stepped in during rehearsals to replace an injured Simon
Jones, Mr. Jones [still perhaps most
famous as Simon Dent in The Hitch-Hiker’s Guide to the Galaxy]
being a far better, funnier performer) and while it’s all watchable and
interesting, it’s never compelling, and in the end comes off a little like an
academic mounting for archival purposes. The rest of the cast is likewise able,
and vary in quality and charisma. Scanning names of the previous (1968 Public
Theatre), more boldly cast ensemble at the record logged at the Internet off
Broadway data base (www.iobdb.com, speaking of archives) one gets the feeling
that director-producer Joseph Papp and crew had a surer grip on the comedy of
paranoia. Again, to be fair, TACT draws upon a repertory company. But there
too, given evenings such as their Memorandum, one wonders if there’s an even more invasive modesty of vision holding
them back.
That
said, many reviews have been splendid and the engagement has been extended. For
many the novelty of the play itself may well be enough…