Yale Repertory Theater

When considering this move to New Haven, I googled Yale Repertory Theater and found the 2008-2009 season included the world premiere of Notes From Underground.

The play has started it's run and I attended last Tuesday when all tickets were $10.00

It is based on Dostoevsky's book of the same name. The book is said by some to be a satire of lower-middle class Russian life in Dostoevsky's time; by others a description of the underbelly, the dark side of humankind.

I don't know much about Russian life in any time period. It is my general interest in Jungian thought and, more specifically James Hollis' book and seminar Why Good People Do Bad Things, which drew me to this work.

The central character is an anonymous man, an underground man, who describes himself as wicked, spiteful, and sick. He speaks of complete alienation from society. He considers himself to be highly conscious and it is this consciousness which torments him.

His notes from underground are stories of cruelty and callousness. The kind we want to believe exists only in some few others. And from which we can insulate ourselves from by working hard and buying in a good neighborhood with good schools.

While the book is written in the mid 1800's, the play brings the characters into modern times by way of stage setting and costume. Baseball caps and concrete walls. Steel, blue jeans and sneakers.

There are a total of 4 actors but essentially it is a one man show. A two hour monologue presented without intermission - carried off perfectly by Bill Camp who co-wrote the play with Robert Woodruff who directs

One very interesting and - in my view - highly successful tool was a webcam. When Camp spoke into it, which he did especially in the beginning of the play, his image was projected onto the back wall of the set. Effective in conveying overwhelming despair and torment.

I came away from the play less disturbed than it might be acceptable to admit. It was a bit like a trip to Disneyland or some other theme park. One has the experience but in a safe, simulated environment.