“Tryst” an Emotional Tug of War at Palm Beach Dramaworks
By Skip Sheffield
“Tryst” is a riveting, emotional tug of war between a
predatory man and a vulnerable woman, playing through June 8 at Palm Beach
Dramaworks, 201 Clematis St., West Palm Beach.
There really was a George Love, though he went by other
aliases too. What is known for sure is that he seduced and went through the sham of
marriage with at least seven women between 1908 and 1914.
Playwright Karoline Leach has fictionalized one of these
women as Adelaide Pinchin, played by Claire Brownell, last seen in “Exit The
King” at PBD. George Joseph Love is played by Jim Ballard, who has been in four
shows previously at PBD, most notably as El Gallo in “The Fantasticks.”
El Gallo is a bit of a rotter, but he can’t hold a candle to
master seducer George Love. As we meet Love he is down on his luck; behind in
his rent and in need of a conquest.
He finds it in Adelaide Pinchin, a shy, insecure London milliner
who rarely leaves the back of her hat shop. One day as she is placing a fancy
hat in the display window her eyes meet those of handsome George Love. Love is
experienced enough to know Adelaide is smitten at first sight. Like an expert
angler he sets the hook with outrageous flattery, false modesty and outright
lies concerning his wealth and social position. You may chuckle at his sheer
audacity.
George Love is a character you love to hate, and conversely Adelaide
is a woman you long to warn and protect. While George is an outright villain,
there are some surprises in Adelaide, delivered with clever conviction by
Claire Brownell.
Adelaide is not a smashingly beautiful woman but she is not
unattractive as represented by the petite, delicate, ginger-haired Claire
Brownell. It is fascinating to see her bloom in Act Two. It is the skill of the
playwright that keeps us guessing as to this emotional tug of war. We are
loathe to reveal any spoilers, but we will wager many of you will be surprised
at the outcome.
“Tryst” is the kind of play in which costumes are very important.
Brian O’Keefe’s 1910 Edwardian designs are quite exquisite. It is a measure of
the quality of this play, directed by J. Barry Lewis, that we were kept on the
edge of our seats even at an old folks’ Saturday matinee.
Tickets are $60 and may be reserved by calling 561-514-4042
or by going to www.palmbeachdramaworks.org.
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