THE FASTEST CLOCK IN THE UNIVERSE
R E V I E W E D B Y
IRENE BACKALENICK
"The Fastest Clock in the Universe," now enjoying its American premiere at the INTAR Theatre, appears to be making a serious statement--something about illusion and reality and the passage of time. But British playwright Philip Ridley never clarifies this statement. While "Fastest Clock" has its hilarious and poignant moments, surfacing in bits and pieces, there is no clear wrap-up to the story. What are we to make of this muddle? What does the playwright mean to leave us with?
The play deals with a master-slave relationship--with Cougar, a 30-year-old man who cannot face aging, and Captain, his obsequious companion. In their ramshackle London flat, they prepare for Cougar's 19th birthday party, which he celebrates each year by seducing a young man. But this year plans go awry. Into their Wonderland wander two characters who disturb the status quo, with catastrophic results. Director Jo Bonney gives imaginative staging to the quirky piece and gets solid performances from the supporting cast--Ellie Mae McNulty, David Cale, Jeanette Landis, and Joey Kern. McNulty, in particular, dominates the second act, bringing dazzle and life to the scene, though her East End accent is at times unintelligible. Cougar (played by Bray Poor), however, moves like a zombie through the story, causing a dead spot at the play's center. It is a role that calls for a super-cool dude, not a Golem from outer space.
But star of the show, undoubtedly, is the set itself. Designer Zaniz Jakubowski has created a London flat (located above a defunct fur factory) that is gritty, yet a work of art, realistic yet surreal--altogether a marvel to behold.
Presented by The New Group, at INTAR, 420 W. 42nd St., NYC, May 7-23.