CRIME & PUNISHMENT at Berkeley Rep
Tyler Pierce (left) as Raskolnikov and Delia MacDougall as Sonia in Crime and Punishment at Berkeley Rep's thrust stage under the direction of Sharon Ott.
CRIME AND PUNISHMENT: Drama. Adapted by Marilyn Campbell and Curt Columbus from the novel by Fyodor Dostoevsky. Directed by Sharon Ott. With
A HARROWING, YET PALATABLE STAGING OF DOSTOEVSKY’S NOVEL
Those of us familiar with Fyodor Dostoevsky’s writings but have never finished reading his 400-page masterpiece “Crime and Punishment”, now have the opportunity to absorb the gist of his novel in this brilliant 90 minute stage production that keeps you riveted in your seats in Berkeley Reps thrust stage theatre. Director Sharon Ott has gathered three superb actors, playing seven parts, to emote on a stunning set (Christopher Barreca) with atmospheric light (Stephen Strawbridge) and sound (Cliff Caruthers).
The plot actually is simple. There has been a double axe-murder of two women, one, a ruthless pawnshop owner the other her innocent sister. Porfiry is a police investigator in charge of the case and the major suspect is impoverished Raskonlnikov who is in love with Sonia, a woman who has taken up the life of a prostitute as a means of supporting her father, Marmelodov, and her sisters. It is Director Ott’s extraordinary staging that amplifies the chaotic inner and outer worlds of Dostoyevsky's protagonist, Rodion Raskolnikov.
J. R. Horne’s rotund frame and fatherly conversation gives the character Porfiry the impression of being a sympathetic interrogator, yet with a barely noticeable change in voice and demeanor, reveals an astute ability to trap a suspect into making damaging statements. However, Raskolnikov is a semi-educated man, having studied crime and criminal behavior while writing an essay condoning criminal actions of intellectually superior persons recognizes the tactic and does not take the bait. Porfiry inherently knows the sub-rosa implication that Raskolnikov considers himself one of those above the law. Raskolnikov says, “It's remarkable, in fact, that the great majority of great men were also responsible for great carnage in their day. Even men who are only a little out of ordinary must be criminals by their very nature. Otherwise, they never rise above the masses, and they can't stand being part of the masses.”
Delia MacDougall plays all the female roles investing each with strength giving individuality to their diverse personalities. Her roles are the self sacrificing Sonia, Alyona the ruthless moneylender, her sister Lizaveta and Raskolnikov’s mother.
Tyler Pierce’s performance is masterful when he projects the physically wasted body and tortured mind of Raskolnikov. His long monolog in which he justifies the murders remains one-dimensional when he attempts to convey true remorse seeking internal and external redemption. Whether such a person who has committed a heinous ax murder of two women can be forgiven and receive absolution from the Church (and God) remains unanswered.
All in all, it is a triumphant return of Sharon Ott to the Berkeley Rep and as mentioned in the press kit, she is “aided and abetted” by a sensational production staff. This is a not to be missed production.
Kedar K. Adour
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