March 28, 2024 The Newspaper Serving LGBT Los Angeles

Review: “The Flying Lovers of Vitebsk”

By BEVERLY COHN| Kneehigh and Bristol Old Vic have sent a theatrical gift across the pond presenting us with the U.S. premiere of the award-winning “The Flying Lovers of Vitebsk.” The word “brilliant” is often overused, but in this case, this highly stylized abstract play about the life and times of Marc Chagall and his wife Bella, written by Daniel Jamieson and directed by Emma Rice, aptly describes this dazzling production. The story was written 25 years ago by Jamieson, who played the lead role, while director Rice played Bella. Her directing brings out the heart and soul of this amazing couple, illuminating the profound influence his Jewish roots and his relationship had on his magnificent body of work.

Casting the extraordinarily talented Marc Antolin as Chagall and equally talented Daisy Maywood as Bella was a stroke of genius as these two actors bring to life, in a most visceral and acrobatic way, the profoundly loving relationship between these historic lovers. Performed on a fascinating tilted set, almost resembling a jungle gym, designer Sophia Clist, who also created the period costumes, put together a series of set pieces that are interchangeable. The result is it’s almost like watching a circus act as the two performers fly around the stage, using long ropes to assume poses we see in some of Chagall’s paintings. Music director and composer Ian Ross helps drive the story forward through a haunting Klezmer* influenced musical score. At times the songs are sung in four-part harmony with composer Ross, musician/singer James Gow, and Marc and Bella who, at other times, sing beautiful duets. What is particularly fascinating is that the actors perform in white face, and different disciplines or movements are employed from ballet to mime bringing to mind visions of Marcel Marceau’s clown, Charlie Chaplin, or circus trapeze artists.

Young Chagall’s initial interest in painting springs from a fellow student at the Hebrew school he was attending in Vitebsk. He saw him drawing and asked how he learned to do that. His schoolmate suggested that he pick up an art book at the library and copy the drawings which he does, thus embarking on the road to becoming a pioneer of modernism and the only major Jewish artist. Later, he meets up with Yehuda (Yuri) Pen, a realist painter operating a small art school specializing in portraits. Chagall has no money for lessons, but Pen recognizes his talent and teaches him for free. However, the young painter soon realizes that painting portraits is too stifling.

The magical love story between Chagall and teenager Bella Rosenfeld begins in 1909 in Vitebsk, where they meet at the home of a mutual friend. Their attraction is instant but future plans are put on hold as Chagall tells her he must go to Paris to paint. It is there that his reputation begins to flourish and with that reputation comes more acceptance from Bella’s wealthy parents who own three jewelry stores. After two years he returns and proposes marriage informing the patient Bella, “I learned everything I needed to know in 10 minutes at the Louvre.” His mother is not sure about his career choice but tells her friends that her son wants to be a painter. One friend says, “Do you think he could paint my house before Passover?” There’s a charming wedding scene where the bride and groom sit in a chair within a chair, which in traditional Jewish weddings is lifted into the air by the guests. The dance sequences are exquisitely choreographed by Rice and Etta Murfitt, who work within a Russian/Jewish theme.

Chagall continues to enshrine their loving moments in his fantastical paintings using a unique palette exploding with vibrant colors, which are recreated by Malcolm Rippeth’s gorgeous light design. He captures that essence by drenching the stage and actors with the intense colors used by Chagall, right down to pinpointing their faces with a kaleidoscope of changing hues. Times are becoming difficult and political unrest begins in their tiny town with Jews being accused of spying for the Germans so the young couple pack up their belongings and flee to St. Petersburg. Life is not easy for them, money is scarce, and her husband is gone from dawn to dusk. By this time they have a baby girl named Ida and Bella, who is highly educated, spends her days in frustration for not being able to devote time to writing. It is during this period that the Russian Revolution is heating up and Marc hopes that those in power will recognize his work. He helps build Vitebsk Arts College but is eventually fired perhaps because he is a Jew. Further conflict in Europe is imminent and anti-Semitic attacks become rampant. Chagall is stopped on the street by a soldier, “Are you a Jew?” After a long hesitation, “Me a Jew? Why do you insult me? “Then you may pass.” Bella’s family loses their jewelry shops and life in Vitebsk is no longer recognizable. Drawing on mythology and the landscape of dreams, his paintings reflect the world around him becoming glorious illuminations of love, loss, and displacement while still maintaining a thread of optimism. With all the chaos around them, Bella asks her husband why he smiles at people. He replies, “I smile at passersby just to feel the warmth of their smiles.”

A quote by Marc Chagall sums up this production’s poetical depiction of his relationship and work: “I adore the theater and I am a painter. I think the two are made for a marriage of love…”

*Klezmer is the traditional secular music of Ashkenazi and Hasidic Jews, which originated in the ‘shtetl’ (villages) of Eastern Europe.

“The Flying Lovers of Vitebsk”

Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts

Bram Goldsmith Theater

9390 N. Santa Monica Blvd.,

Beverly Hills, CA, 90210

Performance Schedule:

Tues – Fri: 7:30 p.m.

Sat & Sun: 2 p.m. & 7:30 p.m.

Closing: March 11, 2018

Single tickets: $35 – $125 (prices subject to change)

Online – TheWallis.org/Lovers By Phone – 310.746.4000

in THEATER
Related Posts

LGBTQ Center Long Beach Screening “The Wizard Of Oz”

June 6, 2021

June 6, 2021

Celebrate LGBTQ Pride with an interactive screening of The Wizard of Oz, a fundraiser for the LGBTQ Center Long Beach. ...

LA Based Gay Comedian Nicky Paris Is Breaking Barriers

May 28, 2021

May 28, 2021

Nicky Paris is an LA Based gay comedian on the rise.  Making waves performing throughout the country, Paris has been...

L.A. Stage Alliance To Cease Operations After Several Companies Exit

April 9, 2021

April 9, 2021

The Los Angeles Stage Alliance (LASA) announced that it would “cease all operations” following the departure of more than 25...

Hal Holbrook, Actor Who Played Mark Twain, Dies At 95

February 3, 2021

February 3, 2021

Hal Holbrook, the actor best known for his accurate portrayal of Samuel Clemens — better known as Mark Twain —...

We-Drive Ins Opening New Location In Santa Monica

January 28, 2021

January 28, 2021

WE Drive-Ins has announced the opening of an exclusive premiere drive-in experience featuring all new release films, with their newest...

2020 Tony Awards Will Be Virtual

September 27, 2020

September 27, 2020

Producers of the Tony Awards have announced that the 74th annual ceremony to honor the best on Broadway will be...

“The Mismatch Game” Hosted By Dennis Hensley Is Going To Zoom

September 23, 2020

September 23, 2020

With COVID restrictions affecting several businesses and theater spaces throughout the Los Angeles area many have had to make adjustments. ...

Golden Girls Puppet Parody

September 17, 2020

September 17, 2020

Jonathan Rockefeller, acclaimed American/Australian producer, director, and writer, has announced that 16 new, original episodes of That Golden Girl Show!...

Longest Running Escape Room In LA Goes Virtual

August 5, 2020

August 5, 2020

Escape Room LA, in the heart of Downtown Los Angeles, is the longest running escape room in Los Angeles going...

Q&A: Being Openly Gay at LA Opera

February 3, 2020

February 3, 2020

The scene: Eurydice always imagined that her wedding day would be a day she’d never forget. But after a tragic...

VIDEO: South Coast Chorale’s Tribute to Gay & Civil Rights Activist

January 24, 2020

January 24, 2020

67 years ago, openly gay civil rights activist Bayard Rustin was arrested on a discriminatory, anti-gay “lewd conduct” charge for...

Honoring Gay Rights & Civil Rights Activist Bayard Rustin

January 21, 2020

January 21, 2020

On this day in history 67 years ago, gay civil rights organizer Bayard Rustin was arrested on a discriminatory, anti-gay...

PLAY PREVIEW: A Queer Tribute to Frida Kahlo

January 3, 2020

January 3, 2020

Frida Kahlo was born July 6, 1907 and died July 13, 1954. Her death certificate alleges cause of death as “pulmonary...

TRAVEL REVIEW: LGBTQ+ Family Vacation: Holiday Edition – Las Vegas

December 21, 2019

December 21, 2019

This column is the second in a reoccurring series about LGBTQ+ family travel. For a preview of this travel column,...

THEATRE PREVIEW: “Orry” Dishes Out Hollywood Gossip in Limited Run

October 26, 2019

October 26, 2019

In Gentleman George’s latest production, “Orry,” you’re invited to the funeral of three-time Oscar winner and Hollywood legend, costume designer...