Heroes

There are many moments in French playwright Gerald Sibleyras' touching show about old age veterans where we see aspects of our own everyday existences.  Originally titled Le Vent des peupliers, Heroes is a theatrical gem whose main characters, honored veterans of World War I, have difficulty living life without fear or self-sabotage.  Yes, even battle heroes have doubts -- just like the rest of us. And so, although they may have led a squad of men into battle, they have difficulty leaving their home at a veterans hospital for a short walk around the tiny Parisian neighborhood in which they live.  In this realistic portrayal of human vulnerability, Sibleyras brings touches of humor and bits of pain, as his aging fighters continue battling the enemy.  Except this time, the enemy is not foreign troops, but the human fears which reside in each of us.  It's a wonderful piece, which not only highlights the tremulous nature of growing older, but also comments on post-traumatic stress disorder and how difficult it is for each of us to leave our comfort zones and explore the world around us. Translated by Tom Stoppard, the play is not the writer's standard exposition of rapid fire wit and humor.  This is a much gentler piece and Stoppard is quick to assert that he has not adapted it, but simply translated it.  And while he tried to make the English version of the French production a tighter script, he has not made it "his own" in the way that we usually think of Stoppard's writing.  And that, in this instance, is a plus actually. Director John Vreeke paces the show nicely, not rushing it nor dragging it out.  It seems to almost glide across the stage in a flowing way that resembles the melding of the seasons (which play a part in the piece).  Even the scene changes in this production seem to be dance-like moments that move quietly across the stage. Set designer Colin K. Bills has created an interesting garden terrace with very little except a bench, mossy wall and stone statue of a seated greyhound.  It's on this backdrop that our three vets banter, argue, chide, gossip, worry about each other and contemplate death. There's Henri (played by Michael Tolaydo), the optimist who tries hard to create a jovial mood in a residence run by nuns.  While he has seen active duty and is no stranger to battle, he has lived at the home for twenty-five years (since 1934) by his own choice.  While he does have a severe limp due to an injury, he is healthy and able to take his daily constitutional which he has expanded to include the nearby town.  However, under the surface, Henri is struggling with his own demons which emerge when pressured to do something more involved than biding his time.  As his cohorts chide him over balking on going for an adventure to a stand of poplar trees that are visible on a distant hilltop, Henri feels backed into a corner.  He becomes nervous and suddenly yells, "I have no desire to be epic!  Why do you want me to be epic!?!"  It's this poignant spectacle that brings the character into clear focus --  he's terrified of doing anything beyond the known and secure.  Mr. Tolaydo balances the delicate dance of making Henri seem happy and well- adjusted yet easily unnerved by the simple thought of leaving his safe haven for a visit to the far off poplars. Meanwhile, Phillippe (John Dow) is dealing with a far more nerve wracking existence.  Still retaining a piece of shrapnel in his skull he has occasional fainting spells where he simply drops off into unconsciousness.  It's been happening for years and now disturbingly seems to be happening with more frequency.  While his comrades are quick to revive him and smooth over the oddness of the moments, he emerges bewildered and shouting "We'll take them from the rear, Captain!"  Having lived at the home for the past ten years, Phillippe has handed over the job of corresponding with his sister to the new comer Gustave.  But while he can handle the  constant feinting spells -- even joking about them and admitting to his ailment -- Phillippe can not abide the chaos of emotional drama which plays out in day to day life.  Thus he has become a compromiser in an effort to avoid conflict.  And it is this fear of conflict which limits his life to no less an extent than Henri's inability to leave the veteran's home where they live.  In Mr. Dow's hands, Phillippe is the glue between Henri and Gustave, both of whom are jealous of the other for their friendship with the fainting pensioner.  Mr. Dow mixes humor and frailty in a deft way that makes the soldier an everyman for us to see how we all struggle with the conflicts that we encounter in our lives. And the third part of this triumvirate is Gustave -- played by Ralph Cosham.  A hero of several battles, Gustave is a cantankerous old man who complains about everything, but actually cares quite deeply.  His aloof exterior hides a crippling social anxiety that can force him to breakdown into a mass of terrified sobbing.  Gustave has only been at the soldiers' home for six months and has become very close to Phillippe while remaining slightly more than cordial to Henri.  As he says about the optimistic fellow, "He's happy here.  That's the only thing I've got against him." Perfectly suited for military life -- or perhaps, perfectly trained to be suited for military life -- he is quick to make his feelings known, quick to rearrange the terrace the way he likes it and quick to discount the social frivolities like birthday parties that  happen around him.  But you realize that the entire grumpy old man routine is simply a cover to protect him from being discovered as just another fearful human being, unsure and frightened by everyday occurrences.  Mr. Cosham does a wonderful job in a role that could easily become one-dimensional or emerge as an annoying voice in the play.  With his understated deliveries and quick retorts, Gustave emerges a complex web of bravado and insecurity, who seems to be trying to care about his friends without triggering his own fears over emotional intimacy. In this wonderful mix of insane worries we see a deeper truth about our own lives -- that it's our fears that limit us and it's only by facing our fears that we achieve our inner and outer freedoms.  So while we may never know if Sister Madeline is really killing off the residents because their birthdays fall on the same day.  Or, if the stone greyhound is really moving around the terrace.  And we may not find out if the young teacher at the girl's school does say hello.  Or even that our World War vets will make it to the elusive poplar trees swaying up on the distant hill.  But we do get a sense that their greatest battle may be in simply being there for each other, bonding through their shared experiences and realizing that they ultimately need one another for emotional support.  Much like each of us in our own daily lives. Note: This is one of three Tom Stoppard plays happening right now in the city.  It's almost a mini-festival!  Studio Theatre is showing Stoppard's ROCK 'n Roll and Folger Theatre is about to debut his Arcadia. Resources: Veterans Resources WWI Vets Telegraph article with Tom Stoppard Show Details: Heroes Written by: Gerald Sibleyras Translated by: Tom Stoppard Produced by: MetroStage at 1201 North Royal Street, Alexandria, VA Ticket Info: Run Dates: April 23-May 24, 2009 Showtimes: Thursdays & Fridays at 8 pm, Saturdays & Sundays at 5 pm & 8.30 pm, and Sundays at 3 pm & 7 pm Ticket Prices: $40-$45 Box Office: 1-800-494-TIXS or boxofficetickets.com Show Length: 1 hour and thirty minutes Cast & Crew: Director:John Vreeke Designers: Colin K. Bills (Set & Lighting), Ivania Stack (Costume), Kevin Laughon (Props) Cast: Ralph Cosham, John Dow and Michael Tolaydo April 24th performance reviewed by Rich See

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