The Revolutionists finds author Olympe de Gouges in her study, surrounded by crumpled sheets of paper, as she struggles to write a powerful, relevant, political play about the French Revolution. It is 1793, we are in Paris, and the thick of the Reign of Terror. The guillotine has replaced executioners with axes (more merciful and efficient). Thousands of lives lost in a brutal war between the aristocracy and the destitute. Olympe is surprised by a visit from her close friend, Marianne Angelle, a black woman (ostensibly a slave?) who is also a spy for the Resistance. Needless to say, these are dangerous times. While Olympe is in the midst of writer’s block, Marianne tries to convince her to pen an important pamphlet for the cause. Two more visitors show up, Charlotte Corday, summoning the courage to assassinate Jean Paul Marat, and Marie Antoinette, the Queen of France and a reviled figurehead of the ruling class.
Perhaps correcting patriarchal omission, playwright Lauren Gunderson has created a fanciful intersection of historic, revolutionary heroines. Comparable to Terry Johnson’s Insignificance, Gunderson reveals unfamiliar sides of these infamous women, with plenty of humor. She brings fresh perception to the intricacies of The Reign of Terror, humanizing the characters. There’s no reason to believe they ever met, but through conversations we get a strong sense of their raw fears and misgivings, their flaws and virtues. We see Olympe’s neuroses and paranoia, Antoinette’s superciliousness and tenderness, and Charlotte’s ambivalence. We bear witness as each must steady their nerves in the face of death, defiance and excruciating loss. It’s riveting, rambunctious theatre, and if Gunderson goes on a bit long, her strengths outweigh redundancy.
IMPRINT theatreworks (the new kids on the block) have come through once again: Co-Directors Ashley H. White and Joe Messina orchestrating this whirlwind of pathos, hilarity and triumph of the spirit. It seems to spill all over the place, in the midst of these spectacular minds. Yet the progression and dialogue is clear. The women are chatty yet fierce, melancholy yet ebullient, headstrong yet despondent. The nimble, versatile and dedicated cast (Marianne Galloway, Jennifer Kuenzer, Dani Holway, Sky Williams) have the stamina of a thoroughbred and chops like you’ve never seen. Ellen Mizener’s Scenic Design is a marvel to behold: detailed, evocative, filled with warmth and rich hues. Costume Designer Jessie Wallace depicts urgency and chaos with brilliant colors that suggest an effulgent crazy quilt.
IMPRINT theatreworks presents: The Revolutionists, playing through August 4th, 2018. The Margo Jones Theatre, 1121 1st Ave, Dallas, Texas 75210. 469-554-8025. imprinttheatreworks.org