What Rough Beast - A Review
Photo by Emelia Hellman
A play. Me. Abby Stonehouse. Since when? Honestly, I was a little nervous because, okay look, I've always imagined people who see plays have a higher digit in the IQ scale. But that's trauma for another time. What. A. Rough. Beast. I feel seen. And I am smart enough?
The last play I saw was a High School play my sister was in 15 years ago. Truly a forgettable experience. No really, I don't remember anything about it. Not the name, not anything. But I do remember the uncomfortable auditorium chairs.
When I walked through the monstrous pillars and into the doors of the Centaur Theatre, I was greeted by an usher and directed to a lounge. The room was filled with people dressed way more sophisticated than me (I think I saw tweed), who were sipping on wine and chit chatting. The lights on the lounge flashed, indicating that the play was about to start. What a full theater experience I was getting. We were directed upstairs to the theater.
What Rough Beast occupies the smaller theater space at Centaur Theater. It was opening night. The excitement and nervous energy was looming. Special Invitees and theater-goers piled in and awaited the play to start. I sat in the second row, elbow to elbow with the people beside me. The room was packed. I stared out at the stage wondering what my eyes were about to see.
The stage was gray, with sharp angled concrete looking walls and props placed about. Projected on the backdrop was digital static. The lights dimmed. Show time.
From the beginning to the end of What Rough Beast, I was captivated. Two hours flew by.
Written by Alice Abracen and directed by Jessica Abdallah, the play was inspired by the election years back that amplified the harsh divide in society and radical groups and individuals that come from these, as Abracen puts it, “polarizations”. She wrote What Rough Beast when confronted with maneuvering through the world, facing people with conflicting ideologies. Does holding compassion help or hinder?
Photo by Emelia Hellman
The production of this play was delayed due to the pandemic. I can't help feeling that it's fitting What Rough Beast is in production now since, unfortunately, these divisions (at least to me) are more amplified post-pandemic. The questions that this work asks and the tensions that people are feeling are on many people's minds constantly.
Abracen does a beautiful job writing characters that sit on different ends of the political spectrum, with different levels of radicalism. Despite this tense theme, there are hilarious moments. Perfectly placed between the deep, the profound and the tragic, keeping me allured.
The casting of this play was well done across the board, but Rafi, played by Rahul Gandhi stood out to me the most. He was captivating while taking a more neutral standpoint on the conflicts presented, while also being the comedic relief that we needed. He was the character that we, the audience, loved and were the most heartbroken about.
Photo by Emelia Hellman
What Rough Beast allowed me to have sympathy for individuals that I may not previously have held sympathy for, and I love that. Humanizing. There is so much nuance to human relationships which is heightened when you don't agree with one another. Particularly when you love and care for someone but see their viewpoints and behavior negatively affecting them and others.
As I mentioned, I am not well versed and knowledgeable about theater. Which makes this a perfect introductory piece for you, my fellow theater dummies. In Montreal there is a prominent theater scene filled with hard working and talented actors, playwrights, and other theatre creators. I suggest you run toward What Rough Beast. You won't regret it.
Photo by Abby Stonehouse
What Rough Beast runs March 2 - March 11 at the Centaur Theatre.
More information on the play, and those involved, can be found here.
For tickets, check out Centaur Theatre.
