"The Language Archive"

I got to see this wonderful play last weekend! The Language Archive by Julie Cho, now playing at South Coast Repertory through April 25, 2010. Check out some scenes from the play on SCR's YouTube channel.

George is a brilliant linguist. But he has a communication problem--with his wife, who's about to leave him, and with his assistant, who can't bring herself to leave him. This quirky comedy, by one of America's most exciting young playwrights, proves love is the one language that can leave us all at a loss for words.

I have to admit, since the postcard advertises this play as a romantic comedy, I was expecting what the film industry usually gives its audience for this genre: Something light and fun like How To Loose A Guy In 10 Days or The Wedding Planner (Gee, you think I like Matthew McConaughey romantic comedies?) -- Anyhow, I was surprised at how much deeper this play is than any of those films. I know probably shouldn't have been surprised since plays are different creations from films, but I was surprised, pleasantly.

There is a lot of quirky humor in this play (a lot of it in the uniquely wonderful costume designs!) but it also digs much deeper into the meaning of love, how we communicate, and the loss of love. This is the type of play that gets me thinking about what it takes to have a real, loving relationship, what real, true love is.

Another unique element of this play is the actors occasionally break the fourth wall, that is, talk and interact with the audience. (Be prepared for a lesson in speaking Esperanto!) It is this element that gives the trendy but over-used "I can hear you, I'm right here." line a fresh, comedic take.

Betsy Brandt and Leo Marks in Julia Cho’s The Language Archive 

at South Coast Repertory March 26 - April 25, 2010. 
Photo by Henry DiRocco/SCR.

At home, George's wife Mary is preparing to leave him. At work, his rare opportunity to record the last two native speakers of the Elloway language in a conversation seems to be slipping away also, since the couple are fighting in English and refuse to speak their own language until the dispute is resolved. And I love the reason they're fighting in English, but telling you why will spoil the fun.

Tony Amendola, Leo Marks, Laura Heisler and Linda Gehringer

 in Julia Cho’s The Language Archive, at South Coast Repertory 
March 26 - April 25, 2010. 

Photo by Henry DiRocco/SCR.

And it's heart breaking when the reason for Mary's departure is finally revealed. George loves her so much, and he tells her this through the entire play, and she loves him too. 

Each character gets their time in the spotlight: George as he struggles with his loss; Mary as she finds herself lost in her new freedom; Emma (George's assistant) as she struggles with her love for George: and Resten and Alta, the Ellowan couple, as they fight their way through their discontent to their deeper love for each other. 

There is wonderful symbolism in the play, for example, in the beginning when Mary first tells George she's leaving, she asks him, "Do you have anything to say to me?" He stammers, "Don't go." Later in the play, Alta explains to Emma that in Elloway, they don't say "I love you" they say "Don't leave me." because that is what love means to them. 

I've also been pondering the symbolism of the set, the backdrop for the entire play is huge bookshelves full of old books and records -- the language archive. The play begins in George and Mary's home, but the language archive fills the entire space behind them, dark, dusty and suffocating. And perhaps that is the symbolism, that George's pre-occupation with language and the archive is stifling the marriage. But ultimately another reason for their separation is revealed.

The Language Archive is a wonderfully quirky romantic comedy with depth that touches and provokes thought. Definitely worth seeing! Playing at South Coast Repertory through April 25th, 2010.

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Posted by Isabelle on April 8th, 2010 | Main | IsabelleRobertson.com