PLAY OFFERS AN EVENING OF CONTRAST
By Dave McDougall

Augustana students act out the nightmare scene in Babette's Feast.

Thank God for the French and their cooking! Babette's Feast, by Isak Dinesen, opened at the Augustana Theatre Centre to a full house. The audience was treated to an evening of contrast between the strict conventions of a tiny Lutheran sect and the divine influence of French cuisine. The tale of two daughters raised in their father's own warped view of Christianity leads to tragic consequences as they deny themselves all that life has to offer, and instead choose to worship "a God who lives in the skies." They seek reward in the after life. That is until Babette, a displaced person from France, graces their home. A man (Achille Papin, French opera star), who was desperately in love with Martine (one of the sisters), and has never forgotten her, blesses them with this French chef (Babette). The contrast between Babette and the sisters is stark.

It is here that the play seems to falter a bit. The dynamic of the contrast is never quite realized to its full potential. In a play staged brilliantly with a minimum of set and props, the pace seems a little slow and the performances on opening night were a little stilted. That being said, there are performances that show promise. David Arial as the older Lorens seems to grasp the comedic implications of his role. As well, Naomi Gaertner, as older Martine, realizes some opportunity to gain back a fulfilling life. Cynthia Marks, as Babette, has the core of the character in place. One seems that as the cast gains a comfort level in front of an audience, much more of the play will be exploited. Perhaps a little less concern for the technical aspects of acting and a little more "joie de vivre" in performance will lift this play.

Two special moments of staging strike the audience, although there is a general spareness to the set. A phantasmagoric nightmare scene and a representation of civil war in France do well in affecting a fine, spectacular contrast to the generally ascetic feel of the setting. The other technical aspects of the play, such as voice-overs, skillful lighting and especially the music of Mozart raise the level of this play.

Once again, Augustana Theatre has presented a play relevant to the roots of this community with a strong message about morality and the mystical nature of the world.