Review: BEFORE THE SWORD at New Conservatory Theatre Center

Now through October 15th.

By: Sep. 26, 2023
Review: BEFORE THE SWORD at New Conservatory Theatre Center

An eccentric author takes on a troubled teen in NCTC’s World Premiere of Andrew Alty’s fictionalized account of the inspiration of the writing of T. H. White’s The Sword and the Stone. Well-researched and lovingly realized, Before the Sword becomes a metaphor for people struggling with their identities and becoming the people they were meant to be.

Review: BEFORE THE SWORD at New Conservatory Theatre Center
Pictured L to R_ Kim Donovan, Mark P. Robinson, Jeffrey Hoffman, and Radhika Rao. 

It’s 1936 England and ex-professor/author T. H. White (Adam KuveNiemann) is living in a quaint cottage in the woods training a pet hawk. His revery is interrupted by Freddie (Henry Halkyard), a teen escaping the bullying he’s become accustomed to.  At first an imposition, Freddie is taken on as a challenge, learning the skills necessary to survive the magic woods and life itself. “Fitting in is important” he tells the youth, yet non-conformity is a badge of honor. “In the woods you’re whoever you want to be” is just the medicine Freddie requires.

Review: BEFORE THE SWORD at New Conservatory Theatre Center
Pictured L to R_ Henry Halkyard, Kim Donovan, Radhika Rao, and Adam KuveNiemann. 

Freddie’s mysterious past becomes a major subplot of Before the Sword - his adoptive status and his search for his birth parents play out among his stepfather’s abuse and his mother’s burgeoning lesbianism.  Kimberly Donovan and Mark Robinson provide strong supporting roles as the struggling stepparents. Adding to gay aspects presented here is a homosexual vicar (Jeffrey Hoffman) and his lesbian wife (Radhiko Rao)

Review: BEFORE THE SWORD at New Conservatory Theatre Center
Pictured L to R_ Radhika Rao and Kim Donovan. 

Extraordinary performances are delivered by KuveNiemann as the odd author and NCTC newcomer Henry Halkyard as the deeply distressed Freddie. White is a father figure Freddie desperately needs and their relationship blooms beautifully under his tutelage. They joust with broomsticks and dustpans, listen to the sounds of the forest and Freddie becomes stronger and more assured.

Review: BEFORE THE SWORD at New Conservatory Theatre Center
Pictured L to R_ Henry Halkyard, Mark P. Robinson, and Adam KuveNiemann. 

Set in Devin Kasper’s magnificent papier mâché  woods and some stellar lighting by Christian V. Mejia, director Ed Decker has created a magical atmosphere ripe for the character’s self-discoveries. Decker’s casting is remarkable, as is his seamless transitions between subplot scenes. Alty works in T. H. White’s troubled childhood into the character of Freddie and wonderfully works in White’s knowledge of hunting, falconry and jousting he would use in The Sword and the Stone. Before the Sword, like the 2019 film Tolkien, provides a backstory to a famous piece of literature while also contemporizing it with a lovely LGBTQ story.

Before the Sword continues through October 15th. For tickets and more information, visit Click Here or call the box office at (415) 861-8972.

Photo Credit: Lois Tema


BroadwayWorld Awards Voting

RELATED STORIES - San Francisco / Bay Area

1
23rd Annual Edwardian Ball Returns To San Francisco, January 26 & 27 Photo
23rd Annual Edwardian Ball Returns To San Francisco, January 26 & 27

PARADOX Media and Vau de Vire announced today the return of The Edwardian Ball—San Francisco's much-anticipated celebration of art, music, theatre, fashion, technology, circus, and the beloved creations of the late, great author and illustrator Edward Gorey.

2
An Evening with John Cleese is Coming to BroadwaySFs Orpheum Theatre Photo
An Evening with John Cleese is Coming to BroadwaySF's Orpheum Theatre

BroadwaySF will present the legendary comic John Cleese in Last Time to See Me Before I Die at San Francisco’s Orpheum Theatre on Monday, April 8, 2024 at 7:30 p.m.

3
BroadwayWorld San Francisco / Bay Area Awards December 5th Standings; The DROWSY CHAPERONE Photo
BroadwayWorld San Francisco / Bay Area Awards December 5th Standings; The DROWSY CHAPERONE Leads Best Musical!

It's December, and the first standings of the month have been announced as of Tuesday, December 5th for the 2023 BroadwayWorld San Francisco / Bay Area Awards! Don't miss out on making sure that your favorite theatres, stars, and shows get the recognition they deserve!

4
JOURNEYS Will Be Performed By Choral Project and San José Chamber Orchestra This Mo Photo
JOURNEYS Will Be Performed By Choral Project and San José Chamber Orchestra This Month

On Saturday, December 16th, and Sunday, December 17th, The Choral Project and the San José Chamber Orchestra will once again collaborate to present their 19th annual Winter's Gifts concert.

From This Author - Steve Murray

Steve Murray is a writer for Cabaret Scenes magazine, contributor to ForAllEvents and now BroadwayWorld. He started writing rock reviews for his college newspaper in the 1970’s, produced a varie... Steve Murray">(read more about this author)

Videos


The Wiz in San Francisco / Bay Area The Wiz
Golden Gate Theatre (1/16-2/11)
A Strange Loop in San Francisco / Bay Area A Strange Loop
The Toni Rembe Theater (formerly The Geary Theater) (4/18-5/12)
Axle Surgeons of California, Inc. in San Francisco / Bay Area Axle Surgeons of California, Inc.
Axle Surgeons of California & Northern California - Axle Doctor (5/26-12/31)
Peter Pan (Non-Equity) in San Francisco / Bay Area Peter Pan (Non-Equity)
San Jose Center for the Performing Arts (6/25-6/30)
William Shakespeare's The Land of the Dead in San Francisco / Bay Area William Shakespeare's The Land of the Dead
The Pear Theatre (11/17-12/09)
Matt Ingalls BranPos Moe Staiano, Felidae, Sung Kim, Masmine in San Francisco / Bay Area Matt Ingalls BranPos Moe Staiano, Felidae, Sung Kim, Masmine
Peacock Lounge (12/14-12/14)
The MeshugaNutcracker! in San Francisco / Bay Area The MeshugaNutcracker!
Guggenheim Entertainment at 3Below (11/30-12/24)
A Christmas Carol in San Francisco / Bay Area A Christmas Carol
The Toni Rembe Theater (formerly The Geary Theater) (12/06-12/24)
Queen Nation: The Ultimate Queen Tribute in San Francisco / Bay Area Queen Nation: The Ultimate Queen Tribute
The Canyon - Montclair (12/15-12/15)
The Nutcracker in San Francisco / Bay Area The Nutcracker
Center for Performing Arts (12/08-12/10)VIDEOS
VIEW ALL SHOWS  ADD A SHOW  

Recommended For You