"The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie"

I've seen the movie. I suppose most of us have seen the movie, and apart from it being a vehicle for Maggie Smith's impeccable enunciation, there doesn't seem to be much to it. I always thought of it as another "nasty little girl" story, like "The Children's Hour," or "The Bad Seed." Obviously, I was missing the point. I suppose I shall have to go back and watch the film again, to see if I was merely being shallow, or if it was severely rewritten when it hit Hollywood.

This is a good play. It's a very "talky" play, which is why it needs very careful staging. In the hands of Johanna Whitmore, it gets it. Ms Whitmore uses the Ford Theater. All the shows I've seen that she has directed in that space have used every inch of available performance area. The place was never designed to be a theater, having housed the school library in a former incarnation. Ms Whitmore finds that an asset. And, once again, she has pushed the boundaries of theater considered to be "appropriate" for high school. I admire her dedication to teaching her students about the realities of life, rather than confining them to producing fluff.

In that way, Johanna Whitmore is a bit like Jean Brodie.

I hesitate to tell you too much of the story, because there are two more performances--Tuesday, March 4th and Thursday, March 6th. I'll check the times, but I think both are at 7:30.

First of all, Katie Cowan does an excellent job of the title rôle. Every word is clipped and clear, as she portrays a character that is a force of nature. This actress shows a lot of promise. A tiny criticism: she has a good understanding of Jean Brodie in her "prime," but not so much when Jean is brought down. I think it could be a fault of the playwright--the transition may be too abrupt for a young actress to follow. Still, Katie gives a six-bouquet performance.

Eric Isenhower, as Teddy Lloyd, gives another great performance as a sneering cynic. I'd like to see a bit more of Lloyd's inner obsession, but, what the hey...it's opening night. It's hard to see wonderful kids play unpleasant characters, even though I know first hand that it is fun.

Brendan was terrific as Gordon Lowther. Though he dislikes the character he plays, he still has the respect for him to give it his best. Loyalty to character is one of the most difficult lessons for any actor. He imparts a certain nobility to Lowther of which he may not be aware. And, seeing him in the "fat suit" (actually a Santa belly) is worth the price of admission.

The reporter, played by Sean Jones, and Sister Helena (Meg Reed) both gave us some very nice work. Mary Jones kicks butt as Miss Mackay; an absolutely rocking performance. All the girls playing the schoolgirls are wonderful. Sandy (Hope Runde) is a far, far cry from the nasty little girl I thought she was supposed to be after seeing the movie. Some very mature work from one so young...

Still, for me, the show was stolen by Rachel Winter, playing Mary MacGregor. Not only is she the only person in the play whose hair is styled correctly for the 1930s, her portrayal of the quiet, stuttering girl on whom everyone picks is superb. I know that, because I was that girl when I was in school.

I know about the hair from when I was in school, too. I had the misfortune of being sent to an English private school in the 1950s, and they were very strict about hair and uniform. I can't imagine that such schools were less strict in the 1930s. I know the play was costumed "on the fly," as it were, and the dark skirt-white blouse-tie combo works well enough to suggest the school uniform. The hair is a different matter. Girls' hair had to be strictly confined. Mary MacGregor's is cut in the correct length of "bob." Girls with longer hair would have worn it in braids, and bangs would have been cut to just above the eyebrows. No wispy stuff hanging down around the face, and no loose and floppy pony tails.

Don't even get me started on the boys' hair!

Even so, the show could have been performed in street clothes. The force of the ensemble is what tells the story, and the accoutrements of the period are optional.

As I said, two more performances: Tuesday and Thursday at 7:30 in the Ford Theater at Round Rock High School. Be there by 7. There will be a line. No admission is being charged, but there is a donation bucket outside the door.