The DU Department of Theatre put on two short plays from Oct. 11 – Oct. 21 that were both written by Sam Shepard. “Savage Love” and “Red Cross” were performed in Johnson-McFarlane by a set of talented actors.
“Savage Love” was performed first by six members of the theatre department. The one-act play explores various stages of love, not through storyline, but a series of poems. The play began by acting out a poem about meeting someone for the first time and calling it love at first sight. The play then went on to describe other stages of love, from toxic relationships to waking up to someone in the middle of the night for the very first time. At times, the actors would play a guitar or a violin to contribute music, singing songs of love, an act that has passed down through the ages.
Following the “Savage Love” play was “Red Cross,” another one-act. This time, there was a storyline rather than a reading of poetry. The play involves three people, Carol, played by Evan Monteith, Jim, played by Samuel Sage and a maid, played by Caitlin Gurtner. Carol and Jim are lovers staying in a cabin in the middle of the forest. The play begins with Carol complaining of an illness and eventually leaving to run errands. Once she leaves, Jim begins to take off his clothes and scratch crabs he has all over his body. He tries to pick them out but finds that more crabs are inside his skin.
The maid then knocks on the door to change the sheets, annoyed by the fact that Jim refuses to have his sheets changed. Jim and the maid then get into a complex vocal rhapsody, as Jim admits he has crabs all over his body and the maid pleads with him to consent to driving to town with her to see a doctor. This banter goes on until they reach the subject of Jim stating the maid should explore the forest and try to go swimming at night.
Jim demonstrates to the maid how to swim, yelling “in and out” loudly, while the maid struggles to keep up with his fast-paced instructions. Eventually, the maid yells she has a cramp and can no longer move, imagining that she is at the bottom of the lake and turning into a fish. She eventually leaves and Carol returns, complaining of constantly scratching her whole body. Jim realizes Carol has crabs all over her as well, but when Carol turns to face him, Jim has a trickle of blood coming from his forehead, and the play ends.
The actors on stage displayed a passionate, fiery performance, fully immersed in their characters and keeping the audience engaged. The audience laughed at humor shown and clapped loudly for all the actors when both shows had ended.
Upcoming performances by the Department of Theatre can be found on their website.
