Theater Review: Black Stockings

By Philip Doyle

I have a confession to make.  

There is a strong possibility that I’m in love … with Denver's Dangerous Theatre company.  I just got home after seeing my first show produced by them and I’m smitten.  It might be a long-term thing, or maybe just a hot one-night stand.  All I know is that my heart is filled with love for the work that the Dangerous Theatre is trying to do.   

For me it’s the stuff from which dreams are made. 

The Dangerous Theatre allows attention to be paid to original works, and plays that are new to Denver audiences. Because of the high cost of theatre production, their focus is not on technical spectacle.  It’s not about breathtaking sets and laser light shows. It’s not about the gloss - it’s about substance.  The Dangerous Theatre puts emphasis on script, and the actor-to-audience relationship. 

Black Stockings is Peter McGarry's comedy/drama featuring Trish and Donna, two bawdy female prostitutes from Manchester, England.  These seductively dressed ladies engage the audience in a friendly chat and a warning to expect plenty of expletives.  They ask if anyone is familiar with Bertolt Brecht (playwright) and Kurt Weill (music composer), creator of The Threepenny Opera.  (Note:  It is not important to be familiar with Brechtian themes to enjoy this show. But the mention of Bertolt Brecht had my inner-theatre geek champing at the bit. Trish and Donna are quick to justify the importance of the services they provide.  In their view prostitutes are pacifists who alleviate men from aggression.  Jokes are made, “Better laid than never!”  Sex toys are used as fun props.  Donna makes light of Trish’s complaints of the physical aches and pains that come with the profession. 

Then the play begins to challenge the audience with questions of what constitutes morality.  Trish shares her experiences that can only be judged as unbearably horrific.  She exposes the darkest side of human nature, parlaying cruelty upon cruelty into a brilliant didactic monologue. 

Brittany Lacour plays Trish.  There is no way to adequately express my sincerest praise for her performance. But I’ll try. Lacour is utterly captivating.  She possesses a commanding emotional intensity.  As Trish, she grabs you, straps you in, and shares her experience with you.  Let me put it this way, there is an anatomically correct sex doll standing up stage (I mean really, there is), and when Lacour was rocking my world with her performance, I forgot the doll was even there!  I hope that convinces you.  I mean honestly … Brittany Lacour is a phenom.

And Winnie Wenglewick is as bold and smart an asset to the play as Donna as she is in her role as director.  She should be commended for her brave contribution of this great theatre work that would otherwise go unrecognized. 

I hope my love affair with the Dangerous Theatre continues.  I can appreciate stripping the shiny commercial spectacle out of the theatre equation to expose the heart of the art form. 

Black Stockings plays at The Dangerous Theatre March 2 and 3 at 7pm.Tickets are $20.