What I liked
The Trick did very well in showcasing the tough situation that our characters were in, and provided a great commentary on our society and what can happen when times get tough, and I did feel it through the actors’ performances. The Pearl was magnificent from start to finish for me, with my favorite part being the directing and design choices made to give some additional pizazz to the play, namely the use of music, costume, dance, and overall interesting ways to progress the story using movement. It is a real breath of fresh air when I see that in a show, and the dedication of the actors helped massively to make that work, so props to them. I also loved the costuming for the play, which added a timeless style to our characters which invoked a sense of class and nostalgia in me. Very well done.
What I didn't like
For the Trick, I think I would have preferred to have more movement in the play and maybe a little more dramatic color in the lighting as I found myself having a hard time staying invested from a visual perspective. I think staging the show stylistically as more noir like could serve this play very well because the story is quite excellent. For the Pearl, I think the play has a lot of very funny moments and is written with a fast pace in mind, which is why I felt that the need to keep that pace got in the way of getting the absolute best from the play. Pacing is important, especially in comedy, and if it’s too fast, we miss the joke, and if it’s too slow, we get the joke before it’s told and it doesn’t land. This takes dedicated time, commitment, and understanding of the text to get down, and rehearsal, of course. Overall, for both of these shows, there was more that worked well than what didn’t and everyone involved is very good at what they do. Can’t wait to see more!
My overall impression
Joe Praml’s The Trick and the Pearl was a very enjoyable watch from start to finish. I believe that everyone involved showcased their great talent and love for theatre, which made the viewing experience all the more enjoyable. I’m very proud of everyone involved to make this possible. The actors, directors, designers, everyone did a wonderful job.
