I Capture the Castle
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Mozo, Winters
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By Melinda Schupmann
A strong cast and a lovely, lyrical script add up to an engaging production in El Portal's Forum Theatre. Based on Dodie Smith's acclaimed novel and adapted by her for the stage, it calls up the voice of its young narrator as she recounts events in her life while living in a crumbling English castle. Smith was an actress, screenwriter, and studied drama in England, so her sense of the theatric enhances the novel's adaptation.
"I write this sitting in the kitchen sink..." begins the story of the young girl, Cassandra Mortmain (Rebecca Mozo), who observes her family with optimism and enthusiastic naivety. Her father, James Mortmain (Time Winters) has published an acclaimed novel 12 years earlier, but he is consumed with writer's block, and the family is dependent on friends for their
survival. They live in the castle of the title rent free. Mortmain's wife, Topaz (Nike Doukas), is an artist's model who works infrequently, preferring to look after her husband. Cassandra's sister, Rose (Lisa Valerie Morgan) is a more pragmatic member of the household who is willing to do anything to get some money, even going after an American newcomer to the neighborhood, Simon Cotton (Erik Sorensen), because he is wealthy.
Character driven, this production shines first because of Mozo's natural and beautifully articulated young woman. Set in the thirties, it hearkens to a gentler time, and Mozo captures its lack of modern sophistication beautifully. Winters, too, brings a believability to the troubled, eccentric writer. Doukas is glamorous and warm as the slightly dim wife.
Supporting roles are strong, building on some sterotypical English characters. Miss Marcy (Kerry Michaels), the village schoolteacher, is a dotty and hearty soul who brings to mind many rural countrywomen. As The Vicar, Patrick Hillan is genial and adds a philosophical voice to the narration. As Cotton's brother, Neil, Ryan Carlberg is an appealing romantic interest for the young women. Josh Holt plays Stephen Colly, an introverted and unrequited lover of Cassandra's with great pathos. He makes the most of his role in the engaging story.
Well directed by Cameron Watson, this production is a very fine one. Currently playing in a small theater, it would be worth a push to a larger venue so that a greater audience might have access to the show.
Victoria Profitt's country castle fits the story well, and Jared A. Sayeg's lighting and Kurt Thum's sound design enhance the story. Costumes by Terri A. Lewis and wigs by Diane Martinous also give verisimilitude to the English scene.
This is a production well worth seeing!
I Capture the Castle, at the El Portal Forum Theatre, 5269 Lankershim Blvd., North Hollywood. Fri. and Sat. at 8; Sun. at 3. $20-25. (800) 595-4849 or www.tix.com. Closes June 18.
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