‘Mandate Memories’ ensnaring, gratifying and surprising

By Eva Trieger

Eva Trieger
Eva Trieger

SOLANA BEACH, California –Wendover, Berkshire, seems a patch of Heaven for Jane Stirling (Rosina Reynolds), a widow in her early sixties, where gardening gratifies her soul, and an upcoming facelift to the cozy house will give it the desired breath of new life.  Stirling has lived in the home her entire life and is loathe to relocate.  She shared the home with her mother, and later with her son.  Her mother has passed away and her son has grown up and moved out on his own.  Stirling’s life appears to have enjoyed a certain predictability and it seems she has drawn comfort from that, despite the fact that there are apparent holes.  Jane has never met her father.  This is not wholly unusual, considering she was born while he was in the service and presumably he was lost in combat. Mandate Memories, now playing at North Coast Rep delivers a powerful dramatic yarn.

This paradigm is overturned with the arrival of a visitor who has contacted Stirling with the news that he has something for her. She agrees to have him come by and deliver it, though she doesn’t know him, nor what he might deliver.  Gustav Frolich (Apollo Dukakis), an Israeli in his eighties, arrives and can’t help himself from exploring the home.  He seems to know a great deal about Jane Stirling, and deliberately and reluctantly reveals information about her father.  Stirling knew nothing of her biological father except what she was told by her mother and the government.  For all of her life her mother had received recompense from the war department to offset their loss of husband and father.  It takes a while before Frolich produces the aforementioned item he has brought.

Frolich illuminates the period of the British Mandate in Palestine and the Arab-Israeli conflict with such humanity and sincerity that we see Stirling’s defenses fall away.  She, as a Brit, has been indoctrinated into believing that the Israelis acted aggressively and without regard for the mandate.  Through Frolich’s cautiously delivered, emotion filled story, the audience is made to experience the confusion, dilemma and personal trauma experienced by all participants of this inflammatory period that accompanied the birth of the state of Israel.

Brilliant, economic dialogue and succinct plot development on writer Lionel Goldstein’s part provide a story that is compelling, surprising and richly rewarding.  The characters are multidimensional, honest and human.  David Ellenstein’s casting of Rosina Reynolds and Apollo Dukakis is perfection and the timing of the unfurling of the plot is precise and creates a drama that must be seen to be appreciated fully.  The set, designed and constructed by Marty Burnett, captures the charm of a cottage in the British countryside in summer.  One can almost smell the English showers as they anoint the garden and flowers.

There is such a sensitivity that grows between the two actors over the course of the second act.  This intimacy and mutual feeling has commanded standing ovations nightly.  The story is powerful, though doesn’t attempt any massive sweeping message. The actors both deliver exemplary performances and their chemistry is palpable and dulcet.

Goldstein’s show will most certainly find its way to New York after this world premiere.  The author has such a gift for getting inside the psyche of his characters and pacing his tale, so that the viewer is ensnared, surprised and gratified. Make sure you see this jewel before it closes at North Coast Repertory in Solana Beach on May 3.

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Eva Trieger is a freelance writer specializing in the arts.  She may be contacted via eva.trieger@sdjewishworld.comSan Diego Jewish World seeks sponsorships to be placed, as this notice is, just below articles that appear on our site.  To inquire, call editor Donald H. Harrison at (619) 265-0808 or contact him via donald.harrison@sdjewishworld.com 

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