Review: Elegiac 'The Father' Strikes a Poignant Note at Wilbury Theatre Group

The concept of memory is at the core of "The Father," Florian Zeller's compelling one-act play about an elderly man with declining mental faculties.

Zeller, a French playwright, sets the story in a Paris apartment. Christopher Hampton translated Zeller's script into English. Richard Donelly ("Waiting for Godot") gives a powerful performance as Andre, who is living with his daughter Anne (Jeanine Kane) and her husband Pierre (Marvin Novogrodski).

Andre is a cantankerous man, set in his ways. He accused his previous caretaker of stealing his watch. Anne advises her father to look for it in the kitchen cabinet before introducing Andre to a new caretaker, Laura (Gabrielle McCauley), a high-spirited and friendly woman. Andre tells Laura he used to be a tap dancer, although Anne says that isn't true. Laura is charmed by Andre, until he reveals a darker side.

Andre believes Anne is going to be moving to London to be with Pierre. Anne says that is not true and hints her father may have to be placed somewhere else.

"All this nonsense is driving me crazy," Andre admits.

The genius of Zeller's writing is to allow an audience the sensation of being inside Andre's mind. Reality is continually shifting. Andre claims the apartment is his own, then is told Anne and Pierre took him in because he's incapable of living by himself.

"The Father" carries the subtitle "A Tragic Farce." Farce is a type of storytelling that pokes fun at human weakness. Tragedy recognizes the damage caused by human weakness. So, are we supposed to laugh at Andre's mental confusion or take pity on him?

Donelly's talent is to allow us to be amused when Andre obsesses over his watch and to feel sympathy when he can't get a handle on his own reality. Andre becomes downright hostile sometimes, yet we can still sympathize with him. It's a tricky balance that Donelly gets just right.

Director Josh Short ("Once") masterfully stages the action, using Monica Shinn's spare but elegant set design to show us the pain of a man losing his mind. The performances of Kane, McCauley, Tanya Anderson Martin (as a nurse) and Jeff Ararat (in multiple roles including Pierre) are all solid.

Anyone who has ever had a friend or family member with Alzheimer's disease will find plenty of reason to identify with Andre. When our memories fail us, we lose ourselves. It's a terrifying proposition, and "The Father" captures that sense of unease and sadness perfectly.

All in all, another strong production from Wilbury Theatre Group.

"The Father" runs through February 9 at Wilbury Theatre Group, 475 Valley Street, Waterfire Arts Center, Providence, RI. Run time is 80 minutes with no intermission. For tickets, call 401- 400-7100 or visit thewilburygroup.org.