01 Jun 2017

Events:

Timon of Athens at the Folger Theatre

Courtesy Folger Theatre

Shakespeare’s Timon of Athens, directed by Robert Richmond, is on stage now through June 11 at the Folger Theatre. This rarely produced satire delves recklessly into the dicy topics: wealth, false friends and the abuse of generosity. It’s a raw slap in the face of a drama — but see it tonight and you can soften it with a beer and light refreshments during Brews and Banter at 6:30 p.m.

Timon, a wealthy and noble patron, lavishes his money on his friends who merrily receive it and celebrate him — until the tables turn. Timon, who once said “I am wealthy in my friends,” finds himself entirely abandoned. His coffers drained dry, they have no use for him and reject his pleas for reciprocation. Viewers will find the party lifestyle depicted during the bread and roses days of Timon’s life engaging; barely clad dancers fill the stage with costumes that harken back to the lush days of the 1980s. After his downfall, Timon’s tragedy of wandering in the wilderness and slowly losing his mind provides a stark difference and illustrates just how low we can go when abandoned by friends and society.

The stark modern setting of the performance has a Tron feeling to it and technology, practically a character itself, is present in every scene. Timon’s friends use cell phones to demonstrate their affection, but quickly turn modern communication technology into transactional devices. Photo recognition staging helps us figure out who’s who among the “friends” — and keep an eye on them as they, too, transform. Tony Cisek’s clever scenic design reminds us that Shakespeare’s human observations are as spot on today as they were in Elizabethan times.

Ian Merrill Peakes, a frequent presence on the Folger stage, is extremely watchable as a generous lord and especially so as a wretched madman. As sympathetic Flavius, Antoinette Robinson is a welcome force standing up for good and caution — sorely missing from this disheartening, lesson-filled story.


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