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PHOTO COURTESY OF STUDIO 21 THEATRE

WOE IS ME. Ernest Heller (left) stars as Thomas Dunne in Studio 21 Theatre’s “The Steward of Christ-endom. ” Kathryn Grace Philbrook, Samantha Chung and Kate Holland (background) play Dunne’s daughters.

Studio 21 brings Irish complexity to Tacoma stage

By Dave R. Davison

With the production of "The Steward of Christendom," Studio 21 Theatre continues its trend of bringing plays of substance and intelligence to the stage.

Directed by Henryk Wrozynski, a graduate of the Polish National Theatre Academy, "The Steward of Christendom" is a tale of family and fidelity set in 1930's Ireland, which has just achieved independence after 700 years of English occupation. The story centers on the character of Thomas Dunne (Ernest Heller). An Irish Catholic, Dunne has been nevertheless a loyal subject of the British monarchy and its empire. During his life span, Dunne rose "as high as a Catholic could," becoming the last chief superintendent of the Dublin Metropolitan Police.

The audience encounters the character as an old man interned in an asylum. Via memories and stories voiced to the satellite characters, Dunne's life story - a long, sometimes-dreary tale of woe - is told.

A servant of British power (a steward of British order), Dunne's whole world has collapsed with the end of British rule. In the new Ireland, those who served to keep the British order are now viewed with suspicion as collaborators.

Dunne's family life is also a tragic tale - in no small part also because of Dunne's loyalty to the British crown. His son Willie (Ryan Coleman), for example, was killed in the muddy trenches of the First World War. Willie, Dunne insists, died "for Europe" if not for Ireland. Now Willie haunts his father's dingy cell - a gentle presence softly singing "Ave Maria."

Wrozynski and set designer Ryan Coleman produce some fantastic effects by top lighting actors and costumes on the other side of the fabric that forms the walls of Dunne's cell. When lit, the apparitions are visible through the walls, which become opaque again when the light is removed.

Doug Bridges' sound design is equally brilliant in providing much of the ambiance of the play. There is haunting music, as well as the murmuring whispers and accusatory outbursts of Dunne's troubled mind.

In his role as Dunne, Ernest Heller has a Herculean task of carrying the bulk of the play – doing so in his long johns most of the way. He acts out flashback scenes, flails about in half-mad ramblings and delivers long (sometimes very long), mournful monologues.

Heller's work is ably buttressed by the supporting cast – especially by Kathryn Grace Philbrook, Kate Holland and Samantha Chung, who play Dunne's daughters Annie, Maude and Dolly.

Altogether, "The Steward of Christendom" is a rich Irish stew with its multifaceted story and layers of symbolism and association. Be advised, however, that the play runs three hours. Take advantage of the stimulating beverages and sugary pastries available at the coffee company venue, and then sit back and take it all in.

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