Conflict Points a Way Forward

The Mint Theater team somehow seems to find perfect shows for our time by scrounging around old and forgotten pieces of theater. Conflict is no exception, in fact, it might be one of the Mint’s best shows. Even with the Mint’s transformative eye to detail and period, it doesn’t take long for Conflict to register with our current political situation. 

Conflict is a love story layered onto a discussion about politics and class (this is a British play, after all), all of this played out during an election. The handsome young Conservative in this soon to be triangle is Major Sir Ronald Clive (Henry Clarke). The young woman who is the object of his affections is Lady Dare (Jessie Shelton). The Labour candidate is an old friend of Clive’s, Tom Smith (Jeremy Beck). 

Jeremy Beck, Jessie Shelton and Henry Clarke

 The story starts with Clive and Dare coming from an evening out at that woozy hour where the edge of night transforms into morning. Sparkling conversation and flirtation ensues, but their manner and interaction indicate the fizz has been drained from their relationship. Dare goes to bed as her father, Lord Bellingdon (Graeme Malcolm) enters. Lord Bellingdon and Clive find a man lurking on the grounds and capture young Tom Smith. But it turns out Tom Smith is no theif, but an old chum of Clive’s from Cambridge, albeit fallen on hard times.

Moving forward a year, an election comes up and Clive stands as the Conservative candidate and, a rehabilitated Tom,s tands as the Labour candidate. Lady Dare is fascinated, first by Tom, then by the ideas he has about politics, then by Tom again.

What makes Conflict rather brilliant is the way that the discussion about politics is front and center, but not central to the story. Both men are sure they are right, but they are willing to listen to one another. They are moved by a sense of duty and civility to participate in politics. Similarly, both men care passionately about Lady Dare, but are willing to listen to her. 

Here, Lord Bellingdon is, unfortunately, the embodiment of the status quo just as the young voters (not seen but referenced) are the embodiment of struggle. His stand for convention against the future is the unmovable object which is thwarted by Lady Dare’s unstoppable train.

Conflict is also the story of physical and emotional love that was probably quite daring in 1925, and would still be in many parts of the country. In the country so recently wrapped in Victorian morals, change in the social rules occurs at a blistering pace.

All four major actors are moving and impressive in their performances. If Jeremy Beck and Jessie Shelton stand out, it is because it is their story of transformation and honesty.

Directed with a light touch by Jenn Thompson, Conflict was written by Miles Malleson who also wrote Unfaithfully Yours, recently done by the Mint. The audience at the Mint Theater often skews older, which is a shame. Young theater goers are missing out on an excellent and timely play. Conflict is proof that ideas, principals and entertainment can age and become even more relevant.

Conflict

Director: Jenn Thompson | Playwright: Miles Malleson

Cast: Jeremy Beck, Henry Clarke, Graeme Malcolm, James Pendergast, Jessie Shelton, Jasmin Walker, Amelia White

Website

Mary Broome: Funny, Fresh and Relevant after 101 years

Mary Broome is a 1911 comedy about an upstairs/downstairs relationship, which doesn’t seem to hold much promise of topicality in this day and age.  But watching this excellent production proves that the issues of family and class are just as relevant today as they were then, albeit in different forms.

.

Janie Brookshire as Mary Bloom & Roderick Hill as Leonard Timbrell

Mary Broome, of the title, is a pretty young maid at the Timbrell residence.  She has become pregnant after a dalliance with the younger, flightier son, Leonard Timbrell.  Leonard, an amusing layabout, is coerced into marriage by his father, who has had enough of his son’s laziness.   Humor is then found as Mary and Leonard try to live up to the Timbrell’s, and society’s, expectations.  Mary proves more adapt at this than Leonard, who continues to infuriate his father and perplex everyone else.

.

The smart and funny Leonard brings to mind any number of pampered and spoiled children of fame today, happy to be ironic but loath to move into adulthood.  It is an easy stereotype that crosses periods from Edwardian England to MTV.

.

The acting is excellent across the board, but four actor stand out mainly due to the size of their roles.  At the heart of the story is Leonard Timbrell, played Roderick Hill.  Mr. Hill keeps the charming Leonard grounded, in a role that could have easily slipped to smarmy.  Leonard is an eternal youth, not just unaware of responsibilities, but actively ignorant of them.  As Mary Broome, Janie Brookshire brings a sweet nature to the role.  Mary takes responsibility for her actions, scandalous at the time.  But Mary is confused by her new husband, unable to decipher the meaning in his tumultuous use of language.  Ms. Brookshire handles the role effortlessly, her Mary might be uneducated, but she is smart and self-reliant.  Mr. Hill and Ms. Brookshire create a chemistry that brings the relationship to life in an utterly believable manner.

.

Kristin Griffith and Graeme Malcolm play the parents, and they prove that parenting hasn’t changed much in a century.  Mr. Malcolm, as Leonard’s father, attempts to foist responsibility on his wayward son.  And Ms. Griffith, as Mrs. Timbrell, is a mother who protecting young Leonard.  Mother and son have a close relationship here, and she understands she has been too indulgent.  At the same time, Leonard sees a passion and intelligence in his mother that she has to keep cloaked in this England.  Ms. Griffith’s impression of Leonard comes through to the audience, building our tolerance of his antics.

.

Finally, I would be remiss not to point out Jill Tanner, who plays two roles perfectly.  In few words, but with a steady supply of understated looks and arched eyebrows, she consistently is the voice of the viewer.  She is outstanding without ever looking like she is trying.

.

The Mint Theater Company specializes in forgotten plays and they have struck gold in Mary Broome.  The perfect sense of time and place is created by wonderful sets and costumes - by Roger Hanna and Martha Hally respectively.  There is a cleaver use of pictures on stage that define one viewpoint of the proceedings.  Director Jonathan Bank has used his cast and crew judiciously to create a very relevant Mary Broome – well worth your time.

Mary Broome Cast (from left) Kristin Griffith, Julie Jesneck, Katie Fabel,
Rod Brogan Janie Brookshire, Graeme Malcolm and Roderick Hill

Mary Broome

Playwright: Allan Monkhouse

Director: Jonathan Bank

Cast: Rod Brogan, Janie Brookshire, Katie Fabel, Kristin Griffith, Roderick Hill, Julie Jesneck, Patricia Kilgarriff, Graeme Malcolm, Douglas Rees, Erica Swindell, Jill Tanner

website