Cousin Bette
The Antaeus Company seems never to fail to bring high quality theater to its audiences. Their newest production in their interim home, Deaf West Theatre in North Hollywood, is tantamount to one of the best theater pieces playing. This is a company of extremely fine artists, and with this production, there is no doubt in my mind that, no matter which actors will be performing on any given night, it matters not.
Cousin Bette, was adapted and written by Jeffrey Hatcher based on the 1846 tour de force novel La Cousine Bette by Honore de Balzac. The story is set in mid 19th century Paris. Bette is the beloved, but poor, spinster cousin of the wealthy Hulot family. They all adore her, confide in her and trust her, while their real concern is only for themselves. Bette shows her love and concern for her “dear” relatives while all the time she loathes them for their patronization, their hand-me-down clothes, their selfishness and utter true disregard for her. When she meets a young artist, Wenceslas Steinbock, with whom she falls in love, she loses him to her young cousin Hortense. Bette finally feels she has had enough and plots to destroy the entire family with the help of a beautiful neighbor, Valerie Marneffe. Her passion for revenge creates a woman with no bounds or concern for anyone which results in untimely death, financial destruction, a broken engagement, but in no way, can she manipulate Steinbock to love her. Jealously is a terrible affliction. When Bette finally completes her plan and finds herself owning the home that once belonged to the Hulots, will she really feel she has won?
Alicia Wollerton is stupendous as Bette, Henri Lubatti is gallant and charming as Steinbock, Dana Green is lovely and perfect in the role of Valerie. The rest of the cast that includes Cylan Brown, Emily Chase, Barry Creyton, Katherine Leigh, Aaron Lyons, Jill Maglione, Michael McShane, Joseph Ruskin, Adeye Sahran, Jeremy Shouldis, David St. Louis, and Paul Willson all bring life to this production under the perceptive direction of Jeanie Hackett.
Cousin Bette will continue through March 28. The Deaf West Theatre is located at 5112 Lankershim Blvd. in North Hollywood. Tickets are available at the theatre box office at (818) 506-1983, or online at www.antaeus.org.