Physical Theater Festival Chicago presents THE GIFT

In an era of so-called sophistication and cool, perhaps we need the simpler, universal messages of love, hope and truth captured in THE GIFT.

Angela de Castro (the Clown) was in character when she arrived at Stage 773 in costume, carrying her large present and wrapped bottle of wine. She obtained tickets at the window and waited with the rest of the audience for the call to the theater. She was fruitlessly looking for her guest among us, and as we took our seats, she took hers. She asked her neighbor to watch her parcels and save her seat while she went to look for her guest. Expectantly, the clown ends up sitting stage left, near the door, waiting with anticipation and antics throughout the concert.

Physical Theater Festival Chicago Brings an Expert to Physical Fest

Angela de Castro is, in this writer’s view, a very loveable woman clown and a master performer. She is also, according to the program notes, a leading theatre practitioner, actor, teacher, director and speaker. We were involved in her performance—whether she was navigating her square body through the rows or conducting a chorus of apologies to the concert artist (Rachel Ponsonby) whose performance she/we interrupted. The decorated wine bottle becomes her partner as de Castro comically weaves her through tango, samba, and waltz, while the concert continues in the background.

This is gentle entertainment. Rachel Ponsonby adequately performs classical standards on woodwinds; soft and pleasing to the ear. Her ramrod rigidity (reflected in her choice of instruments—piccolo, flute, clarinet)--is a perfect foil to de Castro’s rotund flightiness.