Volpone Reviews
Volpone was roundly well-received by the Austin press, and a year later was remembered by the Austin Chronicle's arts editor as one of 2001's "Top Ten Performing Arts Moments that Linger in the Memory:"
Number 8: Volpone (The Bedlam Faction): This new collective's smart, funny, and self-deprecating work in this Ben Jonson comedy turned the sublime -- and the ridiculous -- into the accessible and immediate -- and ridiculous.
Other Reviews:
"The performers' clear enjoyment--with the audience as something of an equal partner in laughs--keeps things moving and makes this such a good night out."
--Robi Polgar, Austin Chronicle
"A highly energetic, decadent romp . . . . Any play that manages to steal from "The Godfather," imitate Hepburn and incorporate the Macarina into a court scene shouldn't be missed."
--Moira Muldoon, Austin American-Statesman
"With all the energy and fizz of a soda can in the hands of a whirling dervish, the Bedlam Faction's production of Volpone is a must-see."
--Sam Cahill, Daily Texan (see full review below)
DAILY TEXAN review, April 24, 2001
Volpone full of sharp wit
By Sam Cahill
Daily Texan Staff
Reprinted with permission
A production company that touts itself with the tag, "We don't have a director or producer--all of us take creative responsibility for everything from costume construction to lights to stage ideas" might evoke an image of a bunch of directionless ne'er-do- wells with nothing better to do on a Friday night than get up on stage and swap performance art pieces. Happily, the Bedlam Faction's production of Volpone is nothing of the sort. Instead, the Faction combines the discipline and polish of Ben Jonson's original play with the raucous enthusiasm and earthy fun of a group of actors who perform like there's no tomorrow and want the audience to jump in and enjoy the ride. Above all, the production is characterized by the cast's confidence and obvious enjoyment of being in full possession of their material.
The strength of Jonson's play lies in the hilariously searing portrayals of venality. The Faction's production goes even further, keeping the razor sharpness of the original and adding a healthy dose of modern flashiness that makes it approachable for a contemporary audience. The result is a delightful spin on the wheel of fortune with a good deal of human insight and a nice bit of flare.
The plot is simple. Volpone, a wealthy Venetian without wife or child, pretends to be dying so that his would-be heirs will send him bribes to ensure that they inherit his fortune. Volpone and his equally crafty servant, Mosca, delight in manipulating the supercilious vultures who try to ingratiate themselves with Volpone. Ultimately, however, Volpone's ruse is uncovered and he, Mosca and the other connivers are punished. Only the two-dimensional and virtuous characters, Celia and Bonario, escape censure.
Thus far, the play comes across as thoroughly yawn-worthy. What makes the play entertaining are Jonson's deliciously venal character portraits, which the Faction carries off with such brilliance that they fascinate with the same sparkling appeal as Volpone's gold.
In fact, the performances are uniformly enchanting and show the discipline and training of veterans of the Shakespeare at Winedale program, of which the cast is largely composed. However, the play revolves around Volpone, and the performance of his character largely determines the success of the production. Andy Bond as the title character carries the lead role with suave agility, never missing a beat in maintaining the sardonic charm of this quasi-Robin Hood character, who steals from the rich and shares his enjoyment of the spoils with the audience.
With all the energy and fizz of a soda can in the hands of a whirling dervish, the Bedlam Faction's production of Volpone is a must-see.