Tam Lin: A Midautumn Nights' Scheme

"Tam Lin" is a Halloween fable with a dual nature. The website for the show states that the show is "suitable for ages 10 and up". The advertisements appearing in magazines bear the tagline "Like Lord of the Rings with sex". Indeed, though there is much in the production that implies it is targeted towards a younger audience, the plot hinges on a great deal of highland bed-hopping.

Mergatroyd Productions' "Tam Lin" is based on an old Scottish ballad, and is an interesting twist on the typical hero's tale; there is a soul in peril and in need of rescuing, but the one who saves the day is not a strapping knight with a claymore, but a tart-tongued lassie with questionable morals. Janet (Christina Dunham) is a young noble woman, and is being forced by her father, Lord Dunbar (Mike Durell) into a militarily advantageous marriage with Lord Aberdeen (Troy Acree). Janet's devoted servant and confidante Margaret (Talura Harms, who also designed the puppets for the climatic showdown at end of the play) is envious of her mistress' betrothal to the burly warrior. Janet sees him as an unattractive, broken-down warhorse, and escapes to the mystical forest of Carterhaugh.

In the woods, she comes upon Tam Lin (Nick Lowe). He was once a mortal man, but is now the vassal of the bewitching Faerie Queen (Nancy Nagrant). True to his legend, he gives the girl an ultimatum: she can either hand over on of her possessions for him to give to his magical queen, or give up her maidenhead. She startles him by willingly offering her virginity. The plot is further complicated by brewing wars among the mortal clans, sinister rituals of the fairy folk, and that Shakespearian stand-by, the bed trick.

This unusual myth is a treat to look at. The costumes by Cheri Cunningham and Carla Gant are simply stunning. The set design by Mergatroyd and The Art Department provides an exceptional magic forest, and makes good use of the limited space, although there seem to be problems with the lighting.

Ms. Nagrants' serene yet lusty Faerie Queen could give Titiania a run for her sparkle dust. She handles the rhyming speak of the fae folk well. I also enjoyed Skid Maher in his dual roles as jilted faerie consort MacDougal (who had a charming sort of Ralph Fiennesian dejection) and royal advisor Sterling (played as a boldfaced but funny tribute to John Cleese). I only wish director/playwright N.G. McClernan had persuaded him to stop looking at the floor. Nick Lowes' titular incubus is appealing and heartfelt. The highlight of the evening was Talura Harms. Watching her characters' inner struggle between her straight-laced nature and her giddy adoration of Aberdeen is a real treat. Sadly, much of the other acting is, at best, uneven.

The few fight scenes were disappointing. Although it is understandable that the actors would be squeamish about using real steel in close quarters, the choreography or weaponry could have been altered to suit the skill of the nervous performers. Still, I was quite pleased that the fighters had mastered drawing their swords so that the blades made that satisfying, ringing "shing!" sound.

"Tam Lin" is ambitious but ultimately disappointing. Much of the humor is stilted, and the dialogue is at times overwrought. As to whom the best audience is for the play, the bed hopping and an attempted abortion make this fable strictly for adults.

Bottom: Christina Dunham, Nancy Nagrant

Middle: Christina Dunham, Nick Lowe, Nancy Nagrant

Top: Nancy Nagrant

Photo Credit: Joe Marzullo