The Actor’s Gang Theater’s Saturday night opening gala of Joseph Conrad’s , “Heart Of Darkness” as interpreted by TV and film actor, Brian T. Finney, was simply put, spectacular.
The evening presented in classic Hollywood fashion mirrored high attendance for the Culver City located venue.
Finney’s performance commanded perked ears, wanting eyes and longing mouths all waiting for Finney’s well-preserved talent and its uninterrupted expression.
Marlow, Kurtz and the all but two invisible crew, were captured by Finney’s accurate and emotional description of the novel’s main theme, which discusses the subject of colonialism.
The 2001 Ovation award winning best actor gave a perfect rendition reminding us of a time that stamped our world with undeniable and irrevocable responsibility.
There were times during Finney’s monologue that he expressed a childlike innocence while portraying the various psychological shadows of the historical and highly publicized novella.
Conrad’s story tells of Charlie Marlow, a hired river boat captain who acts as a private investigator, eventually developing an incessant interest in a certain ivory procurement agent and chief of the Inner Station.
The natives respectfully knew him as, Mr. Kurtz. “Heart Of Darkness” was written between 1898 and February 1899, while Conrad was still working on, “Lord Jim.” It is to date, one of Conrad’s most widely read body of works.
Brian T. Finney presents a laughable yet serious conversational outburst, which clearly reflects the acute and awkward behavior of Marlow’s interaction with Kurtz, Chief Officer, described as a slim, bald Belgian man with a big forehead.
His voice was heard to be deep, strong and vibrating and strangely enough dubbed perfectly with Finney’s, voice. The voice seemingly arose from the almost dark spaces, of the Gang’s Theatre.
Not to be missed, was Finney’s strong facial contortions, which at times during his prancing across the stage, seem to take on a life of their own, leaving us feeling guilty for having seen them.
Those same expressions also described the mental framework of Kurtz, who could easily lay claim to a 2013 Internet viral exclusive. The Twitter feed would be the real multiplication choice, as he gained some impressive numbers, droned for his gangsta type style persona.
The talked about African mistress could be clearly seen through a dark, blue bellow of smoke cast upon the stage’s canvas sailor styled backdrop.
Finney spoke out loud, boldly reciting scripted and poetic wording that sampled Kurtz’s mannerisms, and his relations to the Congo natives.
The three backdrops were interchangeable, and had to be moved by hand. They also made a neat and handy visual stimulus of collected skulls, tropical and thickly filled forest and the dark natives.
The cotton woven canvases were shown with a collective of lighting emphasizing the tie dyed, deep and brightly stained colors, giving a mysterious feeling of elegance on the stage. Finney transformed into several characters, one of which was an exact and profound spiritual countenance of Kurtz intended fiancée.
Finney’s finessed delivery of Kurtz’s dying, stretched out body and how it appeared to the natives, gives a chilling but true prediction of what happens to all good men, seduced by the dark mystery of the Congo.
The many moods and very broad acting range of Brian T. Finney could be used on any best entertainment menu and is a tastefully prepared recipe for success.
The Actors Gang’s founder and one of Brian’s biggest supporters, Tim Robbins came out to lend a resounding clap for a job well done.
Finney, and the Actor Gang’s Director Keythe Farley along with Robbins attended the after party at nearby Culver City Hotel, welcoming the show for a solid run Thursday, Friday and Saturday evenings at 8 p.m.
Farley is known for “Bat Boy, The Musical,” a project of which he co-authored. The show received the Lucille Lortel and Outer Critic’s Circle Award. Keythe, directed the show setting it up to win the best musical direction and writing honor.
The tale draws to an end as viewers watch an unbelievable transformation of man to woman, back to man and then back to Finney.
A year passes and his portrayal of the now deceased Kurtz’s intended fiancée’s coming to grips with her dear, might have been husband’s death, is nothing short of raw and unfiltered channeling.
Once again we are invited guest who are allowed to look deeper, into his depth of character and artistry. Kurtz was also a skilled musician and painter whose oratorical skills were used intentionally in order to provide leadership for his crew.
Ticket prices: $34.99 general admission and $30.00 for seniors and students.
www.theactorsgang.com.
The Actor’s Gang Theatre
9070 Venice Blvd.
