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Southwestern University casts a spell
The cautionary tale Witch debuted at Southwestern University November 11. American playwright, TV writer and novelist Jen Silverman was inspired by The Witch of Edmonton, a 1621 Jacobean play based on a witch case in England.
The classic story follows a woman rejected by society who sells her soul to the devil in revenge. The setting and some of the characters from the earlier play remain in Witch, but with modern language and attitudes.
Visiting devil, Scratch, offers to buy souls in exchange for granted wishes. Royal widower Sir Arthur lives in a castle with his son, Cuddy, and his adopted son, Frank. Winnifred, Sir Arthur’s maid, also lives in the castle. Elizabeth, the outcast witch, lives nearby. Cuddy and Frank are quick to make deals with the devil but Elizabeth rebuffs the offer of glorious retribution.
Katherine Lunam plays the seductive devil, who prods and probes with the right command and confidence. The character becomes self aware as he falls in love with Elizabeth “off the clock” and we see veiled vulnerability.
Elizabeth, the witch of Edmonton, is skillfully played by Faith Madsen. Straightforward Elizabeth seems to be the only character who truly knows herself. Sir Arthur is vain, silly and only concerned with his legacy. DeVante Rogers is quite believable in the flamboyant role.
Sir Arthur’s son by blood, Cuddy, grovells for his father’s attention and acceptance. Maisie Jones is impressive in the portrayal. Cuddy asks the devil to take Frank out of the picture.
Will Mallick nails the role of arrogant, ambitious Frank Thorney, who gladly trades his soul to be named Arthur’s heir. Frank hides his marriage to Arthur’s servant girl, Winnifred. Abigail Bensman plays the jilted lover with honesty.
A bare bones set includes a local bar, the witch’s house and the castle. Scene changes take place seamlessly. Costumes include authentic traditional period pieces. The heavily-tattooed devil wore biker leathers. Sir Arthur and Cuddy wore frilly, fussy and over the top coordinating attire. The odd costumes detract from the characters but demonstrate the balance between drama and dark comedy.
Director Amy Rebecca King was a former student of playwright Jen Silverman.
“I’m incredibly honored and excited to bring their brilliant words to life,” she writes in the director’s note. “The world you are about to enter is not of this time or place, nor is it in Jacobean era England as the original was. This world is of a new time and a new place.”
Ms. King is to be commended for directing the compelling cast of six complex characters. Audience members came to understand motives driving decisions. Inner conflicts elicit sympathy. Barbed monologues question our own values. Ms. King credits the fluid ensemble. “Thank you to the actors for jumping in feet first into an experiment that had decidedly no predictable outcome.”
Witch runs November 18 and 20 at the Jones Theater on 810 South Austin Avenue, Southwestern University in Georgetown. Call 512-869-7469 for tickets.
dwyer@wilcosun.com