← April, 1993

Review: Artichoke

American Renegade Theatre, 11305 Magnolia St., North Hollywood, 818-763-4430

by Tyrone Willis

The American Renegade Theatre’s production of Joanna M. Glass’ Artichoke is a valiant effort by a talented company of actors in what could have been an awkwardly dressed-up soap opera.

Set on a farm on the Saskatchewan prairie during the First World War, the frustrated farm wife Margaret (Elizabeth Meads) faces crisis when evidence of her husband Walter’s (Frank Farmer) infidelity arrives in the form of his illegitimate daughter in a laundry basket. Margaret banishes Walter to the smoke house and takes to the bottle. The daughter, Lily Agnes (Sherry Harmon), is installed on the farm, working alongside Margaret. When David (Barry Thompson) arrives—orphaned and adopted by Margaret’s father George (Ken Reynolds)—he is thrust into the midst of these prideful individuals and forced to deal with his lingering feelings for Margaret. The dramatic encounters aren’t quite enough to overcome the heavy and unresolved plot twists.

Saving graces were the performances of Elizabeth Meads, who was anguished and tormented throughout, and Barry Thompson. Stephen Hastings as the gossiping bachelor wasn’t used to great effect except in the dramatic moments. The show was technically well done with Diane Mitchell’s inventive costumes and Jeff Hagenn’s seamless lighting design.♦