A magical and joy-filled ‘Servant of Two Masters’ opens at Synetic Theatre

“If I talked I would come to be like any other comedian.”
—Charlie Chaplin

The Servant of Two Masters at Synetic Theatre is a accurate phenomenon, combining the best of comedy with an undertone of deeply human emotion. Director and Adaptor Vato Tsikurishvili cites the inspiration of fantastic silent film comedians: Buster Keaton, Harold Lloyd, and most of all Charlie Chaplin. Their affect is present all through this visually and aurally magical manufacturing. Based mostly on a person of Carlo Goldoni’s most beloved performs, this adaptation with out terms provides us all the pleasure of the unique, though transmuting it into one thing completely new.

The signature athleticism, visceral exhilaration, and international flair we expect from Synetic are all present in comprehensive force. Vato Tsikurishvili’s achievement is to manage the much larger-than-life character of the figures when enabling us to see them as genuine human beings.

Carlo Goldoni (1707–1793), a extremely prolific playwright, is credited with innovations to the Commedia dell’ Arte, which was well-liked in Italy until the 18th century. The situation was place up backstage, with an define of the characters and action. Actors have been free of charge to insert their individual substance, speeches, routines, or sight gags, identified as lazzi. Goldoni’s innovation was to incorporate the lazzi into the drama alone (which experienced a written script) and to make the figures much more rounded and sympathetic.

Crafty servants, overbearing fathers, pairs of fans, complicated intrigues — The Servant of Two Masters, has quite a few options of the common Commedia dell’ Arte while reflecting Goldoni’s better sophistication and talent for construction.

We very first see Tsikurishvili, who also enacts the servant of the title, Truffaldino, by itself, in a meditative temper. He is tapped on the shoulder by Beatrice (Nutsa Tediashvili) in disguise as her brother Federigo. She has arrive to Venice to uncover her beloved, Florindo (Jacob Thompson), whom the Cop (Delbis Cardona) mistakenly believes killed Federigo simply because he disapproved of their romantic relationship. A wild chase ensues, Truffaldino and Beatrice misdirect the Cop, and Florindo escapes.

Beatrice hopes, disguised as Federigo, to retrieve her late brother’s dowry. Clarice (Irene Hamilton), daughter of the area loaded service provider Pantalone (Philip Fletcher), was engaged to Federigo prior to he was unfortunately killed. Clarice is determined to marry her true like Silvio (Pablo Guillem) instead.

Truffaldino features Beatrice, still disguised as Federigo, his support as a servant. When Florindo arrives, still on the lam, Truffaldino provides his providers to him way too.

Tsikurishvili embodies flawlessly the paradox of Truffaldino: it is difficult to tell if he is truly, really good or seriously, really dumb. He falls for the maidservant, Smeraldina (Maryam Najafzada). Triffaldino and Smeraldina make a fascinating pair of lovers. Smeraldina is performed by Najafzada with a roguish grin, balletic artistry, and scintillating charm. Tsikurishvili’s effectiveness as Truffaldino, aside from staying astonishingly athletic, is delightfully comedian. It is a pleasure to check out him leaping, leaping, cavorting, and lifting Smeraldina to the skies. There is a wonderful scene in which Smeraldina is hanging up apparel and Truffaldino joins her, putting his hands in 1 of the shirts. She puts on one particular of the dresses. Their flirtation finishes with a surprising twist as he aids her set away the clothes strains.

A further pleasing pair of fans, Beatrice (Nutsa Tediashvili) and Florindo (Jacob Thompson), execute impressive duets. Both equally in black, they dance romantically with fundamental really serious emotion. Tediashvili is particularly powerful in her dual position as Beatrice and Federigo. A type of Italian Rosalind in As You Like It, she has company and the skill, regardless of a lot of obstacles, to get what she wishes.

During, Truffaldino struggles hilariously to serve his two masters, no matter whether carrying wine among Beatrice (as Federigo) and Florindo, who ring for him incessantly, or getting ready evening meal with Smeraldina, in the perpetually brief-staffed inn.

Philip Fletcher as Pantalone has some fantastic scenes with his daughter Clarice (Irene Hamilton), a potent-willed ingenue, dressed in pink, who fulfills her opposition with spirit. As her lover Silvio, Pablo Guillen moves with catlike magnificence and presents glimpses of the fiery temper he displays in the Goldoni primary. He also does good operate as Federigo, Beatrice’s brother, in a flashback comprehensive of surprises. Delbis Cardona as the Cop, whom we initially see chasing Florindo, handles the transition nicely when we realize that he as well, like the other people, has a touch of compassion.

The choreography of Maryam Najafzada is stunning in the course of. The scenic style by Phil Charlwood is spectacular, as is lighting by Brian Allard. Costume designer Aleksandr Shiriaev’s costumes are elaborate, full of telling element, and fascinatingly revealing of character.

Resident Composer Konstantine Lortkipanidze has made a score with breathtaking wide variety and scope. I heard in the previous appreciate scene a bar or two of the music from Zeffirelli’s movie Romeo and Juliet.

The Servant of Two Masters is suffused with pleasure. It is a true joy to see Synetic in general performance when once more.

Jogging Time: 90 minutes, with no intermission.

Extended: The Servant of Two Masters plays through May perhaps 1, 2022, at Synetic Theater in the underground Crystal Town Outlets, 1800 South Bell Avenue, Arlington, VA. Tickets are $10–$60 and are available on the internet, at the theater box business office (open an hour ahead of showtime), or by cellular phone at (703) 824-8060 ext. 117.

The playbill for The Servant of Two Masters is on the web listed here.

COVID Security: All visitors must provide evidence of vaccination or a detrimental PCR examination alongside with their ID prior to entry. Masks are required at all moments. See Synetic Theater’s comprehensive COVID Protection Protocols right here.

Synetic Theater has announced Synetic Supports Ukraine, a exclusive benefit overall performance of The Servant of Two Masters on Friday, April 29. All proceeds from the event will reward United Assistance Ukraine, a 501(c)(3) that provides humanitarian aid to these afflicted by the war in Ukraine. See “In guidance of Ukraine, Synetic Theater to host profit April 29.”

THE SERVANT OF TWO MASTERS
by Carlo Goldoni at Synetic Theatre

Solid
Vato Tsikurishvili – Truffaldino
Delbis Cardona – Cop and Chef
Philip Fletcher – Pantalone
Pablo Guillen – Federigo and Silvio
Irene Hamilton – Clarice
Maryam Najafzada – Smeraldina
Nutsa Tediashvili – Beatrice
Jacob Thompson – Florindo
Justin Bell – Understudy
Joshua Cole Lucas – Understudy
Nicole Jones – Teenager Enterprise Apprentice

Innovative
Vato Tsikurishvili – Director and Adaptor
Maryam Najafzada – Choreographer
Konstantine Lortkipanidze – Resident Composer
Nathan Weinberger – Dramaturg
Phil Charlwood – Scenic Designer
Aleksandr Shiriaev – Costume Designer
Emily Carbone – Props Designer
Brian Allard – Lighting Designer
Yaritza Pacheco – Sound Designer
Briana Padgett – Stage Supervisor
Natalie Wagner – Phase Manager (Rehearsals & University student Matinees)
Ariel Medley – Assistant Phase Manager/Wardrobe
Paata Tsikurishvili – Founding Inventive Director
Irina Tsikurishvili – Founding Associate Creative Director/Resident Choreographer