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The Beverly Hills Outlook recently reviewed The Mysteries - Part I: The Creation. Here's the review:
Charles Lonberger
[link to review on The Beverly Hills Outlook]
Son of Semele is a serious group of talented actors who stage original works and deserve the attention of discerning critical thought. An example of the work they call to our attention was "The Mysteries," of which we saw on May 22nd at their address at 3301 Beverly Blvd. in Los Angeles "The Creation," by an anonymous writer, adapted by Edward Kemp.
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Adam S. May 25
In the May 26th issue of LA Weekly, The Mysteries is Recommended. Here's the review:
Neal Weaver
[link to review at LA Weekly (reg. req)]
The Creation In Edward Kemp’s selection and adaptation of the English Medieval Mystery plays, ambitiously performed on two separate bills respectively subtitled The Creation and The Passion (see review below), The Creation impressionistically spans the Old Testament, from the creation of the world to the birth of Jesus. It’s rich and sometimes funny material in which an old and impotent Joseph (Anthony Brocatto Powell) is infuriated to discover his virgin wife, Mary (Sharyn-genel Gabriel), is pregnant, and aggravated by how the Shepherds relate intimately to the newborn Jesus. He’s the messiah, but he’s also a baby, whom they address as "Hail, darling dear!" and "Hail, little milksop!" Unlike the Magi, the shepherds bring homely gifts: a wooden box, a bird and a tennis ball.
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Adam S. May 25
Variety recently reviewed The Mysteries - Part I: The Creation. Here's the review:
Julio Martinez
[link to review on Variety (reg. req)]
Noted Brit scripter Edward Kemp ("The Master and Margarita") combed through a slew of medieval, church-sponsored "mystery cycles" (considered a precursor to modern drama) for this sojourn through biblical tales. Originally staged in 1997 by the Royal Shakespeare Company, "The Mysteries: The Creation" focuses primarily on Old Testament stories. Under the inventive helming of Michael Nehring, the 12-member Son of Semele Ensemble impresses with its often dazzling physical representation of the tales, if not always with its vocal communication of the text.
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Adam S. May 19
In today's issue (5/20/05), The LA Times reviewed The Mysteries. Here's the review:
F. Kathleen Foley, Special to The Times
In medieval Europe, mystery plays were elaborate occasions, co-collaborations of sorts between religious and trade guilds that typically dramatized passages of the Bible. A precursor to modern drama, the mystery cycles had their origin in church ritual and were most often performed in conjunction with religious holidays. Simple and devout, these cycles were geared toward the uneducated masses that formed the bulk of Europe's population at that time.
That simplicity and devotion are evident in Son of Semele Ensemble's production of "The Mysteries," Edward Kemp's sweeping sampling of the mystery cycles. The reason this company is called an "ensemble" is evident in this tightknit production, which is as focused and fervent as it is ambitious.
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Adam S. May 19
In today's issue (5/19/05), BackStage West selected The Mysteries as a Critic's Pick! Here's the review:
by Travis Michael Holder
It takes a lot of courage—and perhaps a tad too much bravado—to present a two-night environmentally staged adaptation of the old and new testaments of the Bible in a 30-seat space in Silverlake, the traffic of Beverly Boulevard a few feet away, punctuating the hypocrisies of the Pharisees or the crucifixion of Christ. Yet if there are any two words that could define this production, they are courage and, yes, bravado.
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Adam S. May 19
In this week's issue (Vol. 10-No. 20-Week of May 16th, 2005), Accessibly Live Off-Line reviewed The Mysteries. Here's the review:
Son Of Semele Ensemble presents the American premier of Edward Kemp's adaptation of THE MYSTERIES, presented in two separate parts.
Based upon tales, fables, and parables that have been passed along for generations, this presentation tells the story of a human race that encounters good and evil, hope and desire, and someone who offers a gift to man and womankind, only to becomes challenged by authority.
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