Theater Review: ‘Freshwater’

“Freshwater,” the only play by the late Virginia Woolf, is now playing at the Women’s Project Julia Miles Theater.

VICTORIAN ARTISTS: (L-R) Painter George Frederick Watts (Barney O`Hanlon), photographer Julia Margaret Cameron (Ellen Lauren), and poet Alfred Lord Tennyson (Stephen Duff Webber) in Virginia Woolf’s comedy about the artists preceding her generation in � Carol Rosegg

NEW YORK—Freshwater is the only play written by the late Virginia Woolf, who is noted primarily for her novels. In fact, the version now playing at the Women’s Project Julia Miles Theater and co-produced by director Anne Bogart’s SITI Company is a fusion of Woolf’s two versions of the play.

This production marks its first professional showing. Woolf, who had originally written the play to be performed by her friends and relatives for a few intimates, had cast her husband, sister, and brother-in-law.

Woolf here depicts and pays homage to illustrious people of the Victorian era, albeit in a lighthearted vein. It’s fun and rather stimulating to see onstage the famed actress Ellen Terry (Kelly Maurer), Terry’s husband the famous painter George Frederick Watts (Barney O’Hanlon).

Serving as hostess for the enterprise is photographer Julia Margaret Cameron (the vivacious Ellen Lauren)—an unusual occupation for a woman at that time—and Cameron’s husband, the philosopher Charles Hay Cameron (Tom Nelis). Noted poet Alfred Lord Tennyson (Stephen Duff Webber), next-door neighbor to the Camerons, also pays a visit.

Rounding out the company is a maid, named Mary Magdalen in the cast list (Akiko Aizawa) and Lt. John Craig (Gian-Murray Gianino), the latter adding some romantic tension as he pursues the married Ellen Terry.

At the outset Ellen Terry is seen garbed in a lovely Greek-style gown, perched halfway up a ladder, as she poses—“for hours,” she complains—for a painting that Watts is doing of her. The others busy themselves in their various occupations. Terry is charming and flirtatious; the energetic Julia Cameron takes numerous photos of her guests. The poet Tennyson reads one of his verses.

The play does not have a plot or through line but is rather a potpourri of various ideas. But always there is movement. In the hands of Anne Bogart, this is a director’s show. She makes full use of her skills to create fluid poses and beautifully balanced movements of the various characters.

Thus there is some action on the ladder; at one point Ellen Terry, now garbed in a man’s suit, accompanied by Lt. Craig, appears to jump off a rear balcony into the sea.

All the actors, with the exception of Gian Gianino, are members of Bogart’s SITI Company (although he has worked with the company before). They all move exceptionally well in addition to their acting skills.

Adding to the overall effect are the delicate set and attractive costumes designed by James Schuette, which are further enhanced by Brian H. Scott’s lighting and sound design by Darron I. West. It’s interesting to note that these three artists are also members of the SITI Company.

Coproduced by The Women’s Project, under Julie Crosby’s artistic direction, and SITI Company, under Anne Bogart’s artistic direction, this show enhances The Women’s Project mission to present and promote theateR created by women.

Freshwater
Julia Miles Theater
424 West 55 Street
Tickets: [phone] or Women’s Project member tickets: [phone]
Closes: Feb. 15

Diana Barth writes and publishes New Millennium, an arts newsletter. For information: [email protected]