No Exit
No Exit
By Jean-Paul Sartre
Translated by Stuart Gilbert
Directed by Darlene Stewart
Wallflower Theatre Presenting at G.O.A.T.
Winter Park, FL</strong>
While revolutionary in its time, the conceit behind “No Exit” has spread to countless scripts of lesser impact yet in the original its is still a powerful exploration of whether Hell is a medieval-themed theological Horror Ride from Hell, or the more modern thought that your personal misery lies in the center of your own skull. Mssr. Garcin (Brett Carson) arrives first, escorted by the ever-polite Valet (Alex Carol.) Mr. Valet knocks off the exposition, we are then locked in a room and the service bell only works when Jean-Paul Sartre feels it should. There are no mirrors, no windows and no internet access. The furniture is notionally Second Empire, a curious mix of high skill and low taste preferred by Bonaparte and certainly suitable for an eternal perdition with no back support. Soon bitter Inez (Nicole Carson) arrives followed by the moneyed and vain Estelle (Kim Luffman). Sartre tries all three paring for carnal pleasure but nothing clicks and we have that story branch pruned. Next we learn about the particular sins of each inmate – cowardice, infanticide, suicide, and the general swath of fornication mankind is prone to engaging bring these three together. Finally, that pesky door pops open, and we stare into the abyss. What’s it gonna be, hot shot? 10^308 years in the cage, or utter nothingness?
With echoes from existentialism and charmingly old fashion translation, “No Exit” feels a bit dated and Satre’s urge to torture the theatre going public with self doubt reduces to discomfortable chairs. While Ms. Luffman is prissy and picky and unhappy to be housed with the proles, the best part of the evening comes in the Battle of the Carson. They really connected in the argument scenes; it’s almost as if they had some previous marital experience. Mr. Carroll took politeness to its logical extreme; he’s the World War Two European version of calling the credit card company and hoping to talk to a helpful human. “No Exit” is the sort of theatre experiment that all die-hards must experience along with the more commonly performed “Waiting for Godot,” and it will make you think twice before you jilt someone.
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