“Marys Seacole” reviewed by Frank Meccia

[rating=3]I was excited to go to see the play, “Marys Seacole”. I learned about her in one of my first-year lectures in PA school. She was a pioneer of early medical practitioners during the Crimean War, in 1853, with a well-known distrust between her and Florence Nightingale. It seems she wanted to join Florence during the war, considering both were British citizens, but she was rejected by Florence, probably as she put it because of race. But after the war Mary Seacole received the accolades from the soldiers of the war. In London, over 40,000 were present to show their respect and raise funds for her. She was a feisty woman, who did a lot for her people in Kingston Jamaica. She honed her skills as a medical practitioner, treating people with her family’s remedies and treatments of herbs and opium, during the Cholera epidemic of 1851-1852. There is so much to say about this wonderful woman but you’re not going to get all of it from Jackie Sibblies Drury, the playwright. While she could not include all of the wonderful things she did,  many good points were made in this 90-minute play at the Raven Theatre.

Stephanie Mattos did a great job as the time traveling Mary. She was so great at showing her distress with Florence Nightingale, and with her pupils in the practice of nursing. Mackenzie Williams as Mamie had a strong role as being Mary’s chaperone/minder in the past, and as a pupil and medical aide in the future and past. Jesi Mullins as May and Florence plays the stern mother in the future visiting her elderly demented disabled mother in a nursing home, while being a mother to a teenage daughter played by Izzie Jones (Miriam).

Jesi did a great job as both a concerned mother, and as a stern non bending Florence. Even during the battlefield scene, she still showed that no compassion non bending face, from books I have read about her it seems that is the way she truly was. It was hard in the beginning to see India Whiteside as the demented Merry. India is well- known in the theatre community from numerous theatre companies. Another well- known Chicago Actress is RjW Mays, who played Duppy Mary. Duppy Mary I am assuming is Mary Seacole’s mother in the past. She does a great job with her expressions and movements, considering she never says a word, till the dramatic ending. I did enjoy the simple but well-thought-out set, Joe Johnson did a great job, simple, yet functional, yet powerful, it worked perfect in the small theatre. My only question is to the Dialect Coach Adam Goldstein, when you push a heavy accent, it loses a lot when you’re shouting or arguing, the audience will not understand what is being said.

“Marys Seacole”  will continue  at The Raven theatre 6157 N. Clark Street, through November 6th with performances as follows:

Thursdays  7:30 p.m.

Fridays  7:30 p.m.

Saturdays 7:30 p.m.

Sundays  3 p.m.

Ticket prices are from $15 ( students and military)to $40, tickets and  can be purchased at Raven Theatre.com or call 773-338-2177.

There is free parking in the lot adjacent to the theater and the meters on the local streets ( Clark and Granville) are only 6 p.m.

To learn more about the Griffin Theatre Company, visit www.griffintheatre.com

Masks are required at The Raven

To see what others are saying, visit www.theatreinchicago.com , go to Review Round-Up and click at “Marys Seacole”.