'Gidion's Knot' by Backyard Theater Ensemble - My Review

‘Gidion’s Knot’ is a play written by Johnna Adams. It is an unusual piece featuring only two women on the stage that is as challenging for the theatre company that chooses it as it is for the audience who attends. And yet, Donato J D’Albis knew from the first moment that he read it that he had to direct it and under his direction the Backyard Theater Ensemble will present this challenging one-act in their tiny corner of the Thomaston Opera House.

The two actresses that take on these difficult roles are most definitely up to the challenge. Ms. Donovan, a teacher offstage, switches to the other side of the desk to play the parent of Gidion. A founder of the BTE, she gave a wonderful performance as Abby in Belleville; here she is the articulate woman demanding to know the reason for her son’s suspension from school.

Ms. Chamberlin has less than half of the lines but conveys so much about her character with her skilled acting. Last seen at BTE as Lenny in ‘Crimes of the Heart,’ this is a gifted actress that I never tire of watching onstage.

CLICK HERE TO READ MY ENTIRE REVIEW ON ONSTAGE 

Because this play brings up so many issues, talk backs will be conducted after the performances with the director, actors and school psychologists. Gidion’s Knot will run August 21-22 & 28-29 with 8 PM performances and August 30 with a 2 PM performance. Tickets can be purchased at Tickets.LandmarkCommunityTheatre.org or through the Thomaston Opera House Box Office at (860) 283-6250.

Pictured: Sybil Chamberlin (left) as Heather and Kailee Donovan as Corryn in ‘Gidion’s Knot’ Photo courtesy of BTE