by Charlsie-Kern Kruger

For the past several years, “Play On Shakespeare” has been producing modern translations of Shakespeare’s plays. The project began at the Oregon Shakespeare Festival, and is now also being promoted in San Francisco by the Magic Theatre. It is important to understand that these plays are not adaptations or re-writes of Shakespeare’s work. They are translations, intended to capture the original work as much as possible, while making the language more accessible to modern ears. Thus, this project is a new (and exciting) departure for the Magic, which, historically, has championed new works.

The first Magic Theatre collaboration with Play On Shakespeare, Naomi Iizuka’s translation of Richard II, is an unqualified success. Izuka’s streamlined translation has the feel of Shakespeare, and does not call attention to itself with any anachronisms.

Working as a resident artist with the Magic, Iizuka has formed a repertory company to present more than one of her plays. The first production was the excellent “Garuda’s Wing” which premiered in June of this year. That was no fluke. This staging of “Richard II” is also remarkable.

Of interest is that the repertory company is almost entirely made up of female-presenting actors, and they play most of the roles without regard to gender. Thus, Richard is played by the amazing Jeunée Simon. This is not a drag performance. There is no suggestion that Simon is portraying an exaggeration of masculine traits, or giving an impression of a man. She plays the character from the inside out, and the audience must simply accept that she IS Richard. Just as Shakespeare’s audience had to simply accept that a boy actor was Juliet. Simon’s characterization is pitch perfect, and it requires little effort to accept fully. She delivers a polished Shakespearean performance, vocally acrobatic, emotionally rich, intellectually nuanced.

She is well matched by one of the two male actors in the company, Juan Manuel Amador, as Richard’s nemesis, Henry Bolingbroke. Watching these two struggle with their vaulting ambition and drive for power kept me on the edge of my seat. It was like a boxing match or a cock fight.

In a previous (brilliant) production of an earlier version of this translation by the African American Shakespeare Company, I described director Peter Callendar’s approach as “[grabbing] every tool at his disposal to tell the story. . . commedia del’arte style masks, circus skills, vaudeville schtick” and more  It was a wonderful production.

For the current production, however, director Karina Guttiérrez has chosen a streamlined approach. The actors work on a bare set consisting of nothing more than a wide staircase to provide multiple levels, well designed by Tanya Orellana and simply but effectively lit by Alejandro Acosta. The minimal costumes are by Kyo Yohana. The staging is simplified, and movement is minimal. The production is designed to highlight the language, thoroughly convincing us that Shakespeare can be experienced fully in a translation of this sort. The actors hold our attention with intensity of emotion and elegance of delivery; no tricks are utilized.

The entire company rises well to the challenge. In addition to those already mentioned, I would be remiss not to call out Catherine Castellanos, one of the Bay area’s leading actors, doing fine work in multiple roles. She’s amazing.

This Richard II is a fabulous example of streamlined theatre, simple and straightforward, and, for that reason, devestatingly effective.

A triumph!

“Richard II” plays at the Magic Theater through September 08. For further information click here.
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Rating: *****  (For an explanation of TheatreStorm’s rating system, click here.)
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“Richard II” by William Shakespeare. Translated by Naomi Iizuka. Produced by Magic Theatre smf Play On Shakespeare. Performed by the Naoi Iizuka Repertory Company. Director: Karina Guttiérez. Lighting Designer: Alejandro Acosta. Technical Director: Dave Gardner. Props Design: Leah Hammond. Movement Director: Patricia Ong. Scenic Designer: Tanya Orellana. Video Designer: Joan Osoto. Sound Designer: Christopher Saucedo. Costume Designer: Kyo Yohana. 

Cast: 

Henry Bolingbroke/Captian: Juan Manuel Amador. John of Gaunt/Earl of Northumberland/Earl of Salisbury/Exton: Catherine Castellanos: Lord Marshal/Green/Duke of York/Lady 1/Gardener: Nora El Samahy. Duke of Aumerie/Queen/Henry “Hotspur” Percy: Kina Kantor. King Richard: Jeunée Simon. Duchess/Bishop of Casrlisle/Duchess of York/Ross/Bagot/Lady/Soldier & Servant.