Review by Neal Newman
September 15, 2024
Timeless and captivating, THE GIN GAME, presented by Bristol Riverside Theatre, is a brilliant play. Despite its debut in 1976, it remains fresh and vital, a testament to its enduring appeal. Its international success, with performances in India and Turkey, further underscores its unique perceptiveness. It’s a true pleasure to witness this classic once more.
D.L. Coburn’s play is a pure character study. The plot, for what it is, concerns who will win a hand of gin rummy. But oh, the people. The setting is a run-down “old age” home. It is the kind of place for people who don’t have enough money to afford something better. In this country, if you live long enough, you will end up here. So says Weller, the man dealing the infamous card game. He is anciently infirm, cranky, and can wield his cane as a weapon. Weller uses card games to stave off the continual boredom of each day being the same. When a new resident appears, he is eager to teach the game. One problem, though. He hates to lose. Fonsia has newly arrived and is keen for some activity. She likes to win. Very soon, it is revealed that they both have children who will never visit.
The play is a rich tapestry of fascinating themes. After a few hands of cards, strangers slowly but surely start to reveal themselves. Weller and Fonsia have a much to hide, and their lives are littered with disappointments and bad decisions. The first act is a delightful comedy as these unique people reveal themselves. However, the second act takes a dramatic turn, delving into the darker aspects of their lives, perhaps even tragedy. This transition from light-hearted comedy to profound drama adds a layer of depth and complexity to the play.
Longtime Bristol star Keith Baker’s portrayal of Weller is a masterclass in intensity and comic timing. While frequently unlikable, his performance always evokes sympathy for the challenges of old age, loneliness, and hidden memories and fears. He is perfectly complemented by Zuhairah’s Fonsia, whose chirpy rendition adds a layer of complexity to their interaction. She cleverly learns to manipulate her desperate opponent. The intimate black box theater setting enhances their comic and dramatic interplay, especially from the middle of the space. Director Jon Marans skillfully unveils each character’s depth, offering varied staging in a confined playing area.
The scenic designer, Jason Simms, ably suggests the lower-class old age home complete with a garden of dead plants. Costumer Linda B. Stockton added to the characterizations with well-chosen clothes. Lighting designer Coner Mulligan has been handed an impossible deal in this game. The staging is football, meaning the audience is on two sides of the action. Lighting this staging means placing most of your instruments above the playing area. But the new location has a ten-foot drop/cork ceiling. The lights can only be placed at eye level or off in the box’s corners. The chaise area where the actors sit when not at the table is covered in illogical shadows. The upstage player is brightly lit at the card table, but not so is the opponent. The seating is problematic as well. The 150 seats are crammed into four rows on each side. An airline economy seat is more comfortable. You cannot see the face of the downstage player if one is seated on the far downstage side. Ditto for the far-left side. Senior citizens with back problems should sit in the middle of the front row.
There is one problem with this production. This Fonsia is much younger and not infirm at all, which lessens the dramatic tension. If both characters are ancient and weak, it continually emphasizes that they have no escape from this home.
These difficulties did not matter to the audience of seniors who adored every minute. The little room was packed. Get tickets right away.
RUNNING TIME: Two hours plus intermission.
THE GIN GAME by D.L. Coburn runs through September 29 at Bristol Riverside Theatre, temporarily located at 190 Mifflin Street, the Bristol Firehouse. Tickets can be obtained at brtstage.org or by calling 215-785-0100.