Student Theater Review
Comedy and Despair Mix In Northwood's 'Café'
'An Empty Plate' Serves Up Slapstick
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It is July 1961 in Paris, and things are not going well for the mysterious owner and sole customer of the Café du Grand Boeuf.
The mumps have left him sterile, his girlfriend has rejected him and Ernest Hemingway's recent suicide is proving more and more inspirational. In Northwood High School's "An Empty Plate in the Café du Grand Boeuf," Victor is ready to starve himself in his favorite restaurant.
Victor was strongly presented as a man in his 40s intent on doing damage to himself.
The set featured a wood styling with two paintings at stage right. The stage was converted into a black box-type arrangement with the audience seated on the stage near the cafe. The cafe tables were set in a triangle so that the action was easily presented to the audience. Swinging doors at the back of the stage accented the look of a true cafe.
The ensemble pulled off the slapstick that is central to the comedic effect of this play as the characters tried to save Victor from doing himself in. The sight of the characters rushing out of the doors and into each other made for hilarious chaos.
Despite some problems in line clarity, the production was fun and interesting. The play, presented without an intermission, offers many main courses to enjoy at the Café du Grand Boeuf.
Hunter Goble
James Hubert Blake High School
"An Empty Plate in the Café du Grand Boeuf" continues tomorrow and Saturday at 7 p.m. at Northwood High School, 919 University Blvd. W. in Silver Spring. Tickets for adults are $10; students, $5. For information, call 301-649-8088.
