Currently being staged at Lakeside Little Theatre, “The Father” is alternately fascinating, disorienting, poignant and funny. Written by Florian Zeller and translated into English by Christopher Hampton, LLT’s production is directed by Neal Checkoway.
Dave McIntosh is outstanding and riveting as the father, an elderly man named Andrew. It quickly becomes clear that Andrew is suffering from some kind of cognitive decline. He remains stubbornly resistant to his daughter Anne’s (M.A. Bruneau) attempts to care for him. While this story is complex and fascinating on its own, the play’s true genius is the disorienting manner in which the story unfolds. Is Andrew really suffering from dementia, or is he some kind of victim? Are we seeing things clearly, or are the scenes we are experiencing filtered through his faulty mind? Set and character changes leave us wondering about our own perceptions and create an empathy for what Andrew must be experiencing.
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