By Charlie Denison
The Thrust Theatre will present wit, satire, absurdity and gags of all kinds on Wednesday in David Ives’ “All in the Timing,” directed by Professor James Tompkins. The play consists of six different one-act plays with 16 performers.
The last several productions put on by the theater department — besides studio theater and James Cronin’s improvisation group — have been serious, dramatic shows often involving death. “All in the Timing” is a little different.
“This show will come off as a surprise to many,” Tompkins said. “It works with absurd situations very comically. There’s a lot of universal humor.” Tompkins compared its humor and craziness to that of Monty Python.
“If you’re ADD, go see the show,” said Neil Mulac, who plays Leon Trotsky’s Spanish assassin as well as being involved in a “running gag.” “There’s no complicated plot you have to follow. Each story is different and not connected to the other.”
The variety of different plays includes a trial-and-error sequence of a boy meeting a girl in a coffee shop, some practice of a bizarre language called Unamunda, and construction workers having an intelligent, deep conversation about life and much more in “Mere Mortals.”
The humor is not just physical, but intellectual as well. “There are references all over the place,” Tompkins said. “If you don’t get them, they’ll still be funny, but it’s best for those who understand.”
In “Trotsky,” John Strauss plays Leon Trotsky with an axe in his head as his wife explains to him, using an encyclopedia from 1987, that his gardener Ramon smashed it into his head the night before. Strauss, who has been a clown for eight years, says he has learned a great deal from his experience with Tompkins.
“Everyone appears to be sharper than I am,” Strauss said. “I’ve had to work to a new level.” Strauss also mentioned that the material is challenging. “These plays make you work,” he said. “But when you see the show, you’ll know we’re having fun.”
Mulac, a Theater major here at U of L, mentioned that working with Tompkins entails a different approach to comedy. “Tompkins approaches comedy as a type of philosophy,” he said.
Other students agree that Tompkins’ approach is unique; however, it’s not just the directing methods that make him unique. “I feel like he’d dance his way through life if he could,” said Erin Crites, who plays a monkey named Swift in a scene called “Words, Words, Words” about monkeys attempting to write “Hamlet.” “His enthusiasm is astounding.” The other monkeys in the scene are Milton (Julia Benton) and Kafka (Ben Owens).
For the last two and a half months, Tompkins has been working with the cast and pushing them to challenge themselves. Although the work has been difficult, the cast still enjoys it. “It takes a lot to make you stay at school after classes,” Mulac said. “Not only do I stay, but I love it!”
The result of such enthusiasm is that there is never a dull moment in “All in the Timing” — not even during scene changes. “It’s the most extravagant show we’ve done in the Thrust,” said Mulac. “Even the scene transitions are an extravaganza.” When asked to elaborate, Mulac said, “You’re just going to have to see for yourself.”
An example of Tompkins’ directing style: after a rehearsal of the “Trotsky” scene, his response was, “Quite nice. Did you have fun?”
“All in the Timing” runs from Wednesday to Sunday at 8 p.m. every night, plus a 3 p.m. matinee on Sunday. Latecomers will not be seated until intermission. Tickets are $10 general admission, $9 seniors and faculty, and $7 for students with I.D.s. There is strong language and children under 16 may not wish to attend.
