Emperor Reviews
The actors go full throttle. Robert Matney conveys kindness and sincerity of purpose as the dotty Balliardo. His false eyebrows act as worried exclamation marks every time he scrunches up his face. Playing daughter and niece, Kate Caldwell and Rebecca Nell Robertson are giddy and sexy. As is often the case in farce, the wily and conniving servants rule the roost, and here Robert Deike bellows as Scaramouche, Andy Bond is wiry as Harlequin and Kim Nagy as the luscious Mopsophil keeps both of them on their toes. Six chorus members, sort of the Restoration version of the "Solid Gold" dancers, give form to each character's psyche.
The costume and prop designers, too, have gone wild, mixing bustiers, modified harem pants, laser swords, aluminum foil and pseudo science fiction accessories. Emperor of the Moon is a full-tilt, madcap romp, whether waxing or waning."
--Jamie Smith Cantara, Austin American-Statesman
"On the night of the lunar eclipse, with overcast sky and rainy conditions, I found myself experiencing the closest thing to cosmic entertainment: The Emperor of the Moon by arts collective the Bedlam Faction....
If there is one good reason to see live theatre, it is to be entertained without the trappings of high art discriminating against those with a distaste for the pretentious and preachy. The Emperor of the Moon is edgy enough for the wilder bunch and tame enough for conventional crowds. I walked out in the foggy night grinning and content..."