Sparring to Fit in and Stand Out

Athena – Writers Theatre

Two 17-year-old young women meet each other in an after-school fencing program. At first reluctant, the girls finally agree, after much verbal sparring, to train together. Initially strangers, but both strong, equally-gifted athletic competitors, the teenagers eventually become close friends. Together they decide how to balance their camaraderie and competition. They argue whether practice needs to be painful, if the rules of the sport can be tweaked a bit, and how to parry, both in their fencing and in their lives.

Mary Wallace (a talented, very grounded Aja  Singletary) and Athena (played with ferocity and an air of flippancy by the brilliant Mary Tilden) discover that the sport of fencing has many additional benefits. It’s both physically and mentally challenging. They find that in addition to channeling their natural inclination to win, the girls can can earn their much-desired parental admiration, as well as respect from their instructors and peers. Both actors are excellent playing these two athletes. They are focused and demonstrate the requisite coordination, agility, flexibility and endurance, so necessary for this sport. But in Gracie Gardner’s 80-minute drama, fencing becomes a metaphor for balancing a full, satisfying life with others. The qualities of the sport translate beyond their fencing and into their relationship.

Directed with grit and grace by Jessica Fisch, the one-act is staged alley style, with the audience seated on both sides of the playing area, as if watching a tournament. The stage is a narrow gangway, designed by Arnel Sancianco, and edged with colored lighting by Paul Toben that, among other things, signals the fencing hits by the two opponents. Toben’s lighting also takes us to the girls’ homes and then to a dance club, featuring Mikhail Fiksel’s pulsating original music and sound design. Costumer Mieka van der Ploeg was especially challenged in clothing her two cast members, not only in contemporary teenage garb, but in official fencing attire. Kudos particularly go to Fight Choreographers Christian Kelly-Sordelet and David Blixt for their staging of long segments of authentic athletic moves. Attached with body cords, the two actors lunge, parry and riposte with convincing credibility.

Two very different young women, Athena (the name she’s chosen for herself as a professional moniker), as portrayed by Mary Tilden, is bold, brazen and seemingly blase about needing anyone or anything else in her life except fencing. Mary Wallace, spunky and smart, is played by Aja Singletary with a deep desire to fit in. She’s all about honesty, needing to please others and just being a good person. Athena wants to stand out, while Mary Wallace just wants to fit in. Both girls are typical teenagers, temperamental and tortured by a need to be liked, but both young women simply want to learn all that life can teach them.  

Recommended

Reviewed by Colin Douglas

Presented May 5-July 10 by Writers Theatre, 325 Tudor Court, Glencoe, IL.

Tickets are available in person at the box office, by calling 847-242-6000 or by going to www.writerstheatre.org.

Additional information about this and other area productions can be found by visiting www.theatreinchicago.com.