More beast than bite

“La Bete”

Directed by Ronald Allan-Lindblom

Pittsburgh Playhouse…

“La Bete”

Directed by Ronald Allan-Lindblom

Pittsburgh Playhouse

Through March 3

(412)621-4445

Ten minutes into the first act of “La Bete,” a man arrives on stage, interacts with the other actors for a moment or two, then begins a 45-minute monologue. Amusement follows when the other actors try to interject a comment, only to be silenced.

This is the funniest bit of the whole play.

A satiric commentary on plays in general, the Pittsburgh Playhouse’s current comedy, “La Bete,” which means “The Beast” in French, follows the lives of a royal acting troupe in France in 1654. Because the play is meant to be a tribute to the life and plays of French playwright, Moliere, the actors speak in rhyming iambic pentameter, most of the time so trite that audience members can easily guess each following line.

The play starts with Elomire (an anagram of Moliere), played by Tom J. Schaller, the presumed head of the acting company, storming out on stage followed by his confidante, the hunchbacked Bejart, portrayed by Richard Keitel. Prince Conti, played by Robert Haley, outrages Elomire when he suggests that Valere, a common street performer, join his ensemble. It is at this point that the long-winded actor, Valere (Heath Lambert), makes his grand entrance and seemingly never leaves.

The second act is filled with numerous references to plays and playwrights. The servant Dorine, played by Rachel E. Ayers, speaks only in words that rhyme in the “oo” persuasion, as in “blue,” “new” and “shoe,” much to the irritation of anyone who is trying to talk to her. Valere is asked by the prince to put on one of his plays so Elomire can see how wonderful he is, and Valere emerges in full costume and makeup to put on a rather ridiculous show for the prince with the troupe.

Lamberts delivers a strong performance despite the fact that Valere merely drones on for pages and pages on end. The other actors support him rather well, with the exception of Haley, who speaks in a monotone voice, even when his princely character gets mad – and you know he’s mad because he stomps his foot in typical bratty royal fashion.

“La Bete” drags on to close with a relatively somber monologue by Elomire, and the curtain closes after he exits, leaving Dorine standing alone on stage. Perhaps “La Bete” is a variety of humor that is only funny to those who are most dedicated to the art form.

-Stephanie Zahal, staff writer