THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Thursday, April 13, 1995 TAG: 9504130050
SECTION: DAILY BREAK PAGE: E3 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Theater Review
SOURCE: BY MAL VINCENT, THEATER CRITIC
LENGTH: Medium: 63 lines
THE ACTING in the Generic Theater's production of ``Faith Healer'' is as good, as finely shaded and remarkably articulated as you will find on any local stage. Make that on any stage anywhere.
But is acting enough? Brian Friel's play reaches into the very depths of what faith can and cannot bring into our lives. The central character is a traveling Irish faith healer: ``The fantastic Frank Hardy - one night only.''
Frank fears his own powers, or the lack of them. He wallows in despair and ultimately welcomes a sordid death. In the play's last line, he announces, ``At long last, I was renouncing chance.''
The play, however, takes chances on all levels. Friel, an Irish sage whose plays are frequently produced nationally, if not locally, suggests the so-called faith healer has surrendered to his own cynicism. The man can't face his inability to deliver.
Unlike Elmer Gantry and the many shyster-healers of literature and theater, this faux faith healer actually fears success. He points out that the cripples who hobbled to him in these small towns ``hate me. What they want is confirmation of the fact that they are incurable.''
The play is more poetic than dramatic. It consists of four monologues in which Frank, his wife and his manager discuss their lives with a striking clarity. In the style of the Akira Kurosawa film ``Rashomon,'' the facts differ depending on who presents them.
This is not an easy evening. ``Faith Healer'' is a risk on many levels - structure, language and performance. It is no more than what we have come to expect from the Generic Theater, the one local theater that regularly dares to take risks.
D.D. Delaney has both the well-worn face and the tremendous vulnerability needed for the central character. He brings qualities of world-weariness and fervent searching to the part.
Candy Aston brings strength and presence to the role of Grace, whom he calls his mistress even though she is his wife. The range of her role is highly demanding - from hope to despair and back again.
Wally Doyle, as the cockney manager Teddy, is asked to do what amounts to a vaudeville turn that is both comic relief and more searching.
Elwood Robinson's set is stark and wooden with mystical figures, presumably those seeking healing, perched on the sidelines.
``Faith Healer'' is more about illusion than disillusionment. It requires a great deal from the audience, but is recommended for those who want to take the journey. ILLUSTRATION: THEATER REVIEW
What: ``Faith Healer,'' a play by Brian Friel
Where: Generic Theater, 912 W. 21st St., Norfolk
Who: Directed by Bob Nelson with a cast featuring D.D. Delaney,
Candy Aston and Wally Doyle
When: Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m., Sundays at 2
p.m., through April 30
Call: 441-2160
by CNB