The Silent Woman, by Ben Jonson, directed by Michael Kahn, The Shakespeare Theatre, Washington

The technical elements in this production of a neglected script from 1609, calling as it does for a highly stylized look and feel, are superb. Andrew Jackness' set features a multi-purpose unit upholstered in acid green and a floor of shiny panels of electric blue. When Ted van Griethuysen's noise-intolerant Morose hits that floor in feet clad in socks, he looks like the guy in that hockey commercial trying to work at the Lotta Burger on skates. The delicious costumes for the Ladies Collegiate, designed by Murell Horton, are three parts civil engineering to two parts fetishism.

Among the actors I must single out Hugh Nees as Morose's servant. Given almost no dialogue and swaddled in what I can only describe a a straitjacket made of removers' blankets, he makes a fine scene.

And a shout out to Dino!

posted: 10:29:01 PM