Arts & Entertainment
 

Middle East is a 'Dirty Story'

Dark comedy tells intricate political tale through allegory

by Nathan Nix
The Daily Cougar

John Patrick Shanley's Dirty Story is a brilliant allegorical tale of a tragedy that has spanned millennia and continues to this very moment.

His deft handling of dialogue and action brings to life here in our midst a situation that, to most, feels a world away.

In Dirty Story, we meet Wanda, an idealistic, joyful writer who seeks out her idol, Brutus, a jaded but brilliant and celebrated writer suffering from writer's block. She wants to get his opinion on her first novel.

He tells her flat out that he thinks it is horrible. Is he mean? Rude? Brutal? Yes. All of the above. Brutus lives up to his name and sets out to crush Wanda's idealism. He throws her manuscript on the ground and repeatedly asks her why she subjected him to it.

She is crushed. She is daunted. She goes home with him. 

What?

That's right, she goes home with him. Is she a sadomasochist, or is she up to something?

In his apartment, he romances her with his gruff, brutal nature. He explains how he came to live in the apartment and how he considers a shoebox he keeps in a certain spot holy because he feels that his father truly spoke to God at that spot on a visit to the apartment.

Eventually, he ties her up and tortures her in one of many unsettling scenes that balances out the dark comedic tone of the play. He tries to force her to deny her heritage and take on the name Pauline. She refuses.

When it seems that all is lost, she is rescued by her old boyfriend, a cowboy named Frank.

When Frank goes to destroy Brutus, Wanda orders Frank out, but requests that he leave the gun. Frank leaves and Wanda puts the gun to Brutus' head. "I don't want to be called 'Pauline.' Call me Israel!" 

The lights go out. End Act I.

What follows is a meticulously crafted exploration of the Palestinian-Israeli conflict, masqueraded as a battle of the sexes. If you didn't catch on, Wanda is Israel, Brutus is Palestine and Frank is the US. Also present in the second act is a bartender, Watson -- England.

No one gets off the hook in Dirty Story. Each interested party's strengths and weaknesses are brought to light and brutally exposed. We are able to witness politics throughout the ages whittled down to a gesture here, a comment there.

Thanks to UH alumnus Christine Auten as Wanda and a gruff, nuanced performance from Alex Kilgore as Brutus, motivations are exposed and explored with great finesse. UH alumnus David Born also turns in a hilarious performance as Watson, the ignored and insecure Brit.

The first act is somewhat hard to follow, though, so brush up on your history. Here's a hint to help you: Act II begins thematically with Israel becoming a nation.

You'll leave completely entertained and perhaps broken-hearted.

Dirty Story

Stages Repertoire Theatre, 3201 Allen Parkway

Playing: through April 11

The verdict: It's learning, and it's fun.
 

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