We’re not kidding: Samuel Beckett’s play is, in fact, two acts.
You see, when Colin Warren-Hicks, our reviewer, covered the PlayMakers season opener last night, he wrote in his review that more than half the audience left in artistic protest — or something — after the first act.
It seemed possible — the PRC2 series is known for its unusual, edgy content and Beckett isn’t exactly the most digestible of playwrights.
But we did some digging — and when a dutiful PRC regular told Canvas that they thought the departures were due to an audience misunderstanding, we dug a little more.
The PRC2 series is the company’s ‘second-stage’ wing — a bit more experimental and centered on “socially and politically relevant topics,” their website says.
Usually, PRC2 shows are one act, followed by a discussion of the show’s themes and topical matters after curtain calls. This month’s “Happy Days” is the first PRC2 show to have two acts, and the usual pre-show discussion session was scratched because of the unusual nature of the production.
We got up with Connie Mahann, PRC’s director of communications and marketing, to see what she thought about the post-intermission change in audience numbers.
“We had a pretty full house when the night opened, so there were a noticeable number of empty seats in the second act,” Mahan said.
The PRC folks say they put up signage to inform patrons that a second act would follow the first, but Mahan said the experience of last night might change their plan of attack.
“We definitely learn from the audience response,” she said.
The signage will continue tonight, and ushers will help guide theatre-goers back into the Kenan Theatre when the intermission is finished.
“There was a little bit of audience confusion, for sure,” Mahan said. “But [the play] is a truly different experience.”
It’s up to you, folks. Canvas liked the play — Colin Warren-Hicks gave it all of 3 and a half stars — so it’s definitely worth a look.
But when you go, don’t leave at intermission — there’s a whole lot more coming in the second act.
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