Cast Copes With Difficult Script (Press, 8 September 1975)

"Kennedy's Children," a play by Robert Patrick directed by Bryan Aitken, is currently being performed at the Court Theatre in Worcester Street, with shows running from 8:15 to 10:15 p.m. The production explores the intersection of cultural memory and personal history, sparked by the assassination of President John F. Kennedy. The play is noted for its “counter-culture” theme, where nostalgia among the characters deepens as they grapple with their pasts under the influence of alcohol. Set in a bar, the narrative revolves around six distinct characters who have collectively abandoned their search for meaning following the demise of their cultural icons, including Kennedy himself, Marilyn Monroe, Jimi Hendrix, and Janis Joplin. The cast delivers strong performances, with the male characters particularly resonating due to their emotional depth. Philip Holder portrays a Vietnam veteran struggling with addiction, while Paul Sonne plays a homosexual actor concealing a troubled history beneath a polished façade. The female characters, however, align more closely with stereotypes, such as Nancy Ross, who effectively embodies the role of a sex worker, and Elizabeth Moody, who brings humour to her role, providing the sole comedic relief in a mostly serious narrative. Julie Blumsky plays a former hippie, a challenging role due to its archetypical nature. Despite the quality of the performances and Aitken's direction, the script itself is critiqued for lacking dramatic structure. Patrick's characters do not engage in meaningful dialogue or develop relationships, leading to a disjointed experience devoid of narrative progression. This absence of traditional storytelling techniques and character interaction gives the piece an "anti-play" quality. While Patrick may have aimed to comment on themes of isolation, non-communication, and purposeless existence, the result is a work that, although compelling in its reading, struggles to translate effectively to the stage. Overall, "Kennedy's Children" is an exploration of disconnection in a post-Kennedy world, underscored by poignant performances but hindered by a fragmented script.

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