Angels in America: Millenium Approaches @ C Aquila

Before I begin, I must offer this disclaimer: Angels in America is my all-time favourite play.

Tony Kushner’s Pulitzer Prize winning 'gay fantasia on national themes' is an epic exploration of religion, politics, sexuality and nationality in the age of AIDS, one that is the stuff of legend amongst drama academics. Putting on a production is always a big risk given the demands it places on the crew as well as the audience. Fortunately, Mermaids Theatre have pulled it off with skill and aplomb.  

This is an extremely faithful adaptation that sticks to Kushner’s original stage directions (the evident artifice of the piece, scene changes happening in clear view of the audience, every role being played by the same eight actors across lines of gender, age, sexuality, etc). For such an epic play, the staging is decidedly and deliberately small and simple. Nothing is here to distract from the mastery of Kushner’s words and the universally strong cast.

Each play their multiple roles with skill and distinction. Special credit goes to Edie Deffebach for her restrained yet affecting performance as the tormented Harper Pitt, and Kuffasse Boane’s Belize, who has all the best lines. The gender swap in the latter’s casting is a surprisingly effective choice. The dialogue is by turns witty, perplexing, gut-wrenching, philosophical and demanding. There are enough ideas on display here to fuel a myriad of plays. Your attention is demanded for the entire two and a half hours.

The confidence with which this company handles a notoriously difficult text is highly deserving of respect and attention. This is an excellent production and by the goose-bump inducing finale, you’ll be begging for Perestroika. Here’s hoping Mermaids return for part two.