Red Noses

A black comedy about death and self-sacrifice set in 1348 France during the Black Plague is unlikely to grab an audience unless the tale is more artistic than realistic. The Gang provides a goodly amount of blood and corpses to satisfy audiences expecting innovation coupled with food for thought.

In the midst of the destruction of nearly a third of Europe's population, an apathetic church response, and a citizenry driven to despair, a priest, Father Flote (Jeremie Loncka), responds by choosing laughter as a panacea for the terror. Gathering a ragtag group of disabled and wounded peasants into a clown show, he travels around, providing respite from this horror.

Most cast members play multiple roles, and the excellent, physically skillful ensemble keeps the action lively and eye-catching. Loncka is upbeat and warm as the optimistic clergyman. The flagellants, scavengers, lepers, and ravagers, however, nearly overwhelm the didactic philosophical arguments referred to in the course of the play.

The large, bare stage allows for the cast's freedom to move around, and costumes by Rosalida Medina are inspired and imaginative, particularly the wings and plastic bags that adorn the birdlike corpse scavengers. Gregory Rouse-Ringo's choral assistance adds graceful dimension to the music performed.

Director Dominique Serrand brings Peter Barnes' ambitious metaphoric parable to life. Notable are Mary Eileen O'Donnell as Pope Clement VI and others, Pierre Adeli as a threatening and burly scavenger, and Nathan Kornelis as an ineffective priest. Adding to the humor are Steven M. Porter as a blind juggler and his sidekick, played by Simon Foaad Hanna. Cynthia Ettinger delights as a libidinous nun, and Will Thomas McFadden charms as a stuttering comedian.

Though an Olivier winner in 1985, the script is overlong and its optimism harder to sell as the world grows more conflicted. Its language complexity and noble purpose are balanced by the troupe's ability to engender vitality and humanity in the story. It is worth seeing simply for the production values.

Presented by the Actors' Gang at the Ivy Substation, 9070 Venice Blvd., Culver City. Oct. 1-Nov. 19. Thu.-Sat., 8 p.m. (310) 838-4264. www.theactorsgang.com.