The Lesson: a study of weird, strenuous anxiety

The Lesson

I can almost see the emotions in this play as if they were instruments in an orchestra. A quiet and cautious beginning with a dash of quick chirps here and there, like a sugar rush and too much coffee. A long soft clashy melody goes back and forth with the tempo quickening steadily. As the melody plays on, the notes become sharper, louder intense and harsh.

My mind focused itself and as I was watching The Professor played by Josh Hallem and the Pupil by Sive O’Neill (they switch roles on alternate performances). I realized that the gears slowly began to shift and this weird friction started to build.

Slowly but surely the two main roles began to switch from one being more prominent and energized to the other who became weaker and discouraged. I too began to feel the nervousness and wondered how far would they take this?

The dialogue was not the focus. Instead we have a situation where the characters were in a compressed environment and this allowed the director to bring forward the tension and anxiety. As the play continues, the sphere of influence between the characters keeps shrinking, all the while your own body temperature rises knowing something is about to happen. The hairs on your neck stand up.

Hallem delivers a methodical and balanced performance. He knew when to up the ante, causing the relationship between The Professor and the Pupil to feel almost claustrophobic and strenuous. O’Neill’s character took whatever The Professor was dishing out and, with great timing, gave it back.

The maid (Michele Dodick), was our release valve as she periodically enters to give us a breather from the main characters.

For show information go here.

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By Victor Terzis