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Atlantic Theater hosts a new British drama about a woman’s troubled encounters

BY MICHAEL SOMMERS

NEWJERSEYNEWSROOM.COM

OFF BROADWAY REVIEW

Watching the American premiere of “Harper Regan,” Simon Stephens’ 2008 British drama regarding a woman’s mid-life crisis, regulars of Atlantic Theater seasons may well experience a David Mamet flash.

Mamet, of course, was one of the founders of Atlantic back in 1985 and since then the company has presented many of his plays. Atlantic’s trademark style of acting -- terse yet deeply-felt -- has been honed on his writing.

In some ways, “Harper Regan” resembles Mamet’s “Edmond,” since both works are multi-scene dramas about a middle-aged person unexpectedly going off on a bender and encountering a series of strangers. “Edmond,” which Atlantic staged in 1996, is far more tragic and nastier than the muted “Harper Regan,” but there definitely is a similarity in story and form.

One certainly can see why the company has produced the play, which opened on Wednesday, since its house acting style suits the laconic “Harper Regan” very well.

An Atlantic stalwart, Mary McCann depicts the title figure, who leaves her sad-sack husband (Gareth Saxe) and snarky teen (Madeleine Martin) back in suburban London when she suddenly heads to her hometown to visit her dying dad. His demise sends Harper off to a pub for a violent face-off with a drunken bigot (Peter Scanavino) and later an unexpectedly tender hookup with a gentlemanly adulterer (Christopher Innvar).

Harper’s creepy boss (Jordan Lage), her estranged mom (Mary Beth Peil) and an amiable college boy (Stephen Tyrone Williams) are among others in the story that returns Harper back home two days later.

Composed mostly as two-person scenes, the play eventually reveals why Harper's domestic life is so strained, but in spite of stretches of thoughtful writing, the author does not effectively resolve the drama. Harper herself proves to be rather an empty character but fortunately, McCann compensates for the void with a warm, oddly serene portrayal of a guarded soul in torment.

Although the sorrowful play satisfies only in spots, the company’s excellent acting is highly enjoyable under director Gayle Taylor Upchurch’s well-modulated guidance. Set designer Rachel Hauck shrewdly deals with 10 different locations by providing a series of blank walls that give way to sharply-chosen minimal environs. The play appears far from perfect, but Atlantic gives it a typically solid production.

“Harper Regan” continues through Oct. 28 at the Atlantic Theater Company, 336 W. 20th St., New York. Call (212) 279-4200 or visit www.atlantictheater.org.

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