“The Man Who Was Thursday ” reviewed by Frank Meccia

Recommended ***

ANARCHY: A STATE OF DISORDER DUE TO THE ABSENCE OF AUTHORITY, AND GOVERNMENT. The definition of Anarchy helps to understand this play based on the Novel of the same name by G.K. Chesterton. It helps also to understand G.K.Chesterton was among the most important English authors of his time. And most of his works both fiction and non-fiction are written from the Catholic perspective, due to his conversion from the Anglican to Catholic church.

That being said, his witty, wild mystery/thriller and political satire takes place in early 1900 England, where Scotland Yard has set up an Anarchist task force using it’s best and brightest to fight the threat of anarchy. I can’t give out too many details or it will take away from the mystery, but all the main characters are named after each day of the week, and this will help set up the political satire in this story.  Your Narrator Gabriel Syme, played by Eduardo Curley-Carrillo, brilliantly navigates the mystery behind this secret society, brought in by the Poet and Anarchist Lucian Gregory played by Cory Hardin. The large cast which at times gets confusing because of their other identity’s were all in perfect harmony with their roles.

Directed by Jess Hutchinson, this adaptation by Bilal Dardai moves swiftly, so despite being over 2 hours in length ( with one intermission), there is no down time or even a remote chance of becoming bored. The only exception is that the actors use English accents, thus, one must pay close attention or you could fall out of synch with the story line/mysteries.

Scenic Designer Lizzie Bracken did a wonderful job recreating Edwardian England, and the great use of a two-level stage. The play moves well and with the fast pace of the acting, and the wonderful use of dark lighting during scene changes, you will enjoy this mystery. Again, not to give away any of the story, one must look at these bumbling characters as “terrorists”, but certainly nothing like what we might find today.

The Man Who Was Thursday is playing till April 7.

Lifeline Theatre gives Senior, Student and Military discounts.

Performances are as follows:

Thursdays  7:30 p.m.

Fridays        7:30 p.m.

Saturdays  at 4pm and 8pm

Sundays  at 4pm.

Tickets are $40 and can be purchased by calling 773-761-4477 or online at www.lifelinetheatre.com

If you enjoy a good mystery that deploys a good paradox, don’t miss this intriguing journey at Lifeline Theatre.

Lifeline theatre is located at 6912 N. Glenwood Avenue in Rogers Park’s Art District.

To see what others are saying, visit www.theatreinchicago.com, go to Review Round-Up and click at “The Man Who Was Thursday”

Reviewed by: Frank Meccia