Le Loup Garou
The Werewolf
Denis is
the last in a long line of intelligent wolves living unnoticed in woods north of
Paris. But when he is bitten by a werewolf he wakes on the day of the next full
moon to find that he has become human. How will he survive the world of men?
John Rackham’s fourth outing to the San Francisco Fringe brought a new
departure for the company, their interpretation Boris Vian’s short story Le
Loup Garou.
Boris Vian, engineer, pataphysician, novelist, playwright and jazz trumpeter
became infamous in France when a murder in his book J’irai Cracher Sur Vos
Tombes (I Will Spit on Your Graves) was copied in reality and the book left open
by the body of the victim. Vian was tried for vicarious murder. Intellectuals
including Jean Paul Sartre collected money to pay the massive fine.
John Rackham translated Le Loup Garou some years ago, and in 2005 began
work on adapting it for the stage.
SF Fringe audience reviews.
Reviewer: Frequently Fringed
3 Stars
Plenty of potential in this adaptation of a story about a gentle wolf
transformed into a man. The lead performer is quite magnetic, using great
physicality to differentiate himself as a wolf and as a man. The lead female
performer also had a great stage presence in her multiple roles. Quite easy on
the eyes as well. But the overall pace of the play really dragged it down. It is
a piece full of whimsy and silliness...but it moves along slowly. For something
resembling farce, it needs to move quicker, the lines need to be a little
snappier, and overall it just needs some work. Hopefully the show will continue
to develop post-Fringe because the kernels are there.
Reviewer: Dan
4 Stars
An almost perfect Fringe play. John Rackham shows his ever widening set of
talents as he steps beyond the sketch comedy of year's past. He flawlessly leads
a new troupe through this adapted French absurdest romp with perfect ease and a
sense of dry restraint that can only termed "British," yet serves the material
well. I hesitantly retain the last star only because I wanted MORE MORE MORE! Be
sure to catch it at the DarkRoom theatre after its SF Fringe run. Perhaps with
less of a time constraint that can include more of the perverse wackiness of the
original story! Like fine cheese and mixed metaphors, I believe the more they
run this show, the better it will get.
Reviewer: Matt
5 Stars
Wow-I don't know where to start the praise for this compelling and remarkably
well-acted show! There was a little bit of everything-a dumb French cop, a
buck-naked werewolf, an outlandish prostitute, eccentric pimps, fish freedom
fighters, an audience sing-along and so much more. John Rackham is the stable
center of this piece, as he is surrounded by actors with several character
changes. Denise Amrikhas has the most bizarre shifts, as she moves from dancer
to waitress to fish-gun toting revolutionary to cartoonish pimp. Shelly
Halstead's beautiful English accent and stage prescence are a joy to watch and
her role as a prostitute was a complete riot! George Espilanty is a master at
using his voice, and his timing is always spot-on.
The show included a lot of backstory and narration which helped to clarify the
sometimes confusing storyline. The only thing I would have liked more is if it
had been a little longer-I was enjoying it so much! What more is there to say?
It is a must watch-go see it!
Reviewer: chris polski
5 Stars
Amazingly convincing performances by a talented international cast. Creatively
done. An engaging story that takes you on a fantastic journey through the day of
an intelligent wolf turned into a man after being bitten by a werewolf. The
narrative structure of this performance is greatly entertaining and funny. It
flows smoothly and never drags or lets up. Probably the quickest 45 minutes I've
spent in a Fringe show. John Rackham once again, doesn't disappoint. His
writing, directing and acting is of a professional caliber that the fringe is
lucky to host. He portrays a wolf without a hint of a wolf costume yet you are
completely convinced you are seeing a wolf. Shelly Halsted is one of those rare
actresses that was born to the stage. If you see this show for no other reason
then to experience this amazing actress you will not be disappointed. Denise
Amrikhas flawlessly switches between her many roles. The range which she is
asked to portray is convincing and entertaining.George Espilanty is perfectly
cast as well in his many roles. His Freedom Fish Front charater had me laughing
out loud.
This is one of those fringe shows that will pack the theatre once the fringe gets more underway. I'm glad I caught it early. This is a Don't Miss Show!
Reviewer: maria long
5 Stars
Amazing, mysterious, Parisian tale - mythical, haunting, amusing, poignant.
Enchantingly performed by this stunningly delightful cast. This is something
special. Don't miss it!!!
Reviewer: Anthony Barreiro
5 Stars
"The Werewolf" is well-written, well-designed, and well-acted. Consistent
attention to detail, nuanced performances, entertaining physical comedy and
dialogue, and a thought-provoking theme: human beastliness revealed through the
perspective of a gentle French wolf who gets bitten by a human werewolf and
turns into a human under the full moon. I found "The Werewolf" to be much more
professional and enjoyable than many previous Fringe plays. Highly recommended.