Beowulf (Collin McDowell), left, and the bard (Patrick Webb) are comedy gold in the Los Alamos Little Theater’s production of ‘Beowulf and the Bard’. Photo by Thomas Graves
By KIRSTEN LASKEY
Los Alamos Daily Post
kirsten@ladailypost.com
Los Alamos Little Theatre’s latest production, “Beowulf and the Bard” has all the components of a great story. There’s fighting. There are heroes. There are monsters. There is a hint of romance. There are peanuts.
Furthermore, the play has a great foundation; its characters and story line follow the Old English epic poem “Beowulf”. The poem, which details the adventures of Beowulf as he battles and defeats several monsters including the infamous Grendel, is both celebrated and poked fun of in the play.
Here’s the run down: the play opens with a bard (Patrick Webb) performing for a group of villagers in medieval times. To rouse their interest, and hopefully get some money, he recounts his exploits with Beowulf (Collin McDowell) as the banished prince of the Geats attempts to take down Grendel (Joshua Bartlett) with the help of warrior princess Gunborg (Kelsey Denissen) and a very reluctant aristocrat Unferth (Cassandra Bowman).
It is a silly spoof of the classic poem – there is talk of tennis courts, Grendel’s introduction is like an entrance in a WWE broadcast and there are a bunch of sassy common folk offering commentary on the events as they unfold. Silly indeed but also extremely entraining.
The cast really hit a home run. McDowell’s performance as a wannabe, bumbling hero is extremely endearing and I love the chemistry between him and Webb’s bard, who really yearns to get over his writer’s block. My favorite character, however, is Denissen’s Gunborg. Not only can she swing a sword like no one’s business, but her enthusiasm and bravado to be the roughest, toughest warrior of them all really steals the show. Gunborg is just the coolest.
The play’s physical comedy is also a highlight. There is a particular fight scene that showcases some impressive stunt work on the part of the actors.
What also sells this play is the sets and costumes. Everyone looks fantastic from their leather boots to their fur lined capes. Plus, all the men sport impressive facial hair.
The real showstoppers are the sets. I’ve watched a lot of Little Theatre productions, and I can say with full confidence that the painted sets in “Beowulf and the Bard” are the most beautiful that I have seen. It is pretty amazing that a small stage can be effectively transformed from a village square to a royal banquet hall to a swampy lake.
The play may be a spoof, but it appears to stay true to the message of the original source material – what makes a true hero. The answer is, as Beowulf recites like a Boy Scout, bravery, honor and loyalty. I really like that – it is not about the brawn; it is not about prestige; it is about being a good person and doing the right thing. And that is a story that is always worth telling.
The Los Alamos Little Theatre’s production of “Beowulf and the Bard” continues at 2 p.m. today, at the Performing Arts Center, 1670 Nectar St. The show will also be performed at 7:30 p.m. Sept. 27 and Sept. 28. Tickets are $25 and available on zeffy.com at Beowulf (and the Bard) and at the door. Students and seniors can use LALT2024 to get 20 percent off. For ticket purchases of four or more, use code VIKINGS4ALL to get 20 percent off.