The Fever (Evergreen original)

Rating:
Summary: Thought provoking
Review: As an actor, I heard about The Fever while reading a diary by playwright David Hare, about his writing and performing a one man show. He kept mentioning Wallace Shawn's work, including The Fever, so I bought a copy, as I am very interested in one man shows, which this book is. From the opening paragraph, all the way through, this is one of the most emotionally searing pieces of theatre that I have ever read. I have read the opening few pages to a teen drama team that I coach and they had never heard anything like it. It's not what you normally read in high school English class. I showed it to a woman who is a Christian counsellor, someone who resonates with emotional pieces and she was very moved. I found this one man play so powerful, that I have decided that I want to perform it in the future--I have started memorizing it. The Fever is so well written, it's full of material for an actor to want to perform, it's a very strong example of the quality of writing any actor wishing to write and perform a one man show should look up to. It is a gut wrenching story, a powerful piece of social theatre. I recommend it for all actors and playwrights if you haven't read it. And it gives you plenty of things to think about as you interact with other people all over the world.

Rating:
Summary: Not ok.
Review: I have just finished The Fever. I feel guilt, and awe. I am smitten by the images of wealth I know and images of suffering and poverty I know. What are these sights? Has my original reaction, when I first saw them changed? Do I know how life works? Where are my ideals?
This is a silent walk out of the theatre. That is, assuming I ever saw The Fever performed. Knowing Wallace Shawn as an actor I figure a flurry of humorous and bizarre moments would sustain my attention, because of his distinct personality, whether they were called for or not. But then a weight of truth and alienation. The Fever is not funny. But it is vividly alive, and if you think everything is okay, then it is dead. With The Fever, nothing is okay.
A necessary piece of moving socio-political theatre.