Because They Have No Words

Because They Have No Words
A play by Tim Maddock & Lotti Louise Pharriss
Directed by Emilie Beck
Lounge Theatre, Hollywood
September 29, 2006, 8pm

Because They Have No Words is a new play written by author/actor Tim Maddock, who ventured into New Orleans three weeks after Hurrican Katrina hit, volunteering to rescue animals left behind by their owners during the city's evacuation. His experiences, the people he met, and tid bits of his life history shape a powerful experience for him as he sought to find meaning in his own life as well.

The play is staged in a small 99-seat theatre on Santa Monica Boulevard in Hollywood. Sets were spare, using of lighting instruments and chairs to create locations. A few animal carriers and cages were along the walls for atmosphere, plus spray-painted markings resembling those that would have been seen on houses during the search-and-rescue operations. But other than that, it was just us, six incredibly talented actors, and the brick walls of the theatre. Maddock played himself, narrating the story and acting in scenes he was a part of, while the five other actors slipped into and out of roles to portray the other people (and animals) Maddock meet along the way.

I found the play most compelling when it was about the experience of New Orleans: wading through dirty water and mud to rescue animals, interacting with residents of the city and owners of the animals, living in the slowly deteriorating volunteer camp. Less compelling were the extended, existential interludes where the main character strains to find meaning in his life while relating it to the experience of New Orleans. Is the play going to be more of a personal journey, or an illustration of New Orleans just after Katrina? Because the way it's being performed, its so much fun watching the actors act out these scenes that there's a major dip in energy when we switch back to Maddock's inner monologue. And Act 2 is far too long - scenes towards the end could use some judicious snipping.

But for the most part, the play was thoroughly engaging and thought provoking. You admire Maddock for his willingness to jump in and get his hands dirty while, as director Emelie Beck notes in her program note, the rest of us just watched everything on television. And Maddock's vivid descriptions of the disarray he encountered really bring to life how bad it was down there, and how difficult it was to pull things together.

It certainly got my imagination working, thinking about the mess that Katrina caused in New Orleans. And even though I was desperately eyeing my watch as Act 2 wore on, I was entertained the whole evening watching these actors flex their acting muscles big time.

Show artwork by John Knowles, Weirdsmobile Productions.
www.Weirdsmobile.net