The Psychic Life of Savages The Psychic Life of Savages (May 20, 2005)

By Katie Vaughn

Whether you can't get enough of American poetry from the 1950s and '60s or know absolutely nothing about the defining works of the period, you'll likely enjoy the latest endeavor at Pear Avenue Theatre. "The Psychic Life of Savages" combines drama, satire and dark comedy in a unique piece of theater.

The play by nationally known Bay Area playwright Amy Freed centers on "lightly disguised" versions of real-life poets Sylvia Plath, Ted Hughes, Anne Sexton and Robert Lowell, as they struggle with creativity, mental illness, fame and one another.

"It's the life history of poets compiled into a very brief period of time," said director Rebecca Ennals. "It's a satire on the way they were, sort of a fantasia on their lives."

The story begins with Ted and Robert meeting at a radio show, and continues with Anne and Sylvia becoming friends at a mental hospital. Throughout the course of the play, Sylvia and Ted marry and spend time with newly coupled Anne and Robert. But problems arise, including the affair Anne and Ted have one night, the writer's block many of them endure and various episodes of madness. And the ending -- as you might expect from a play about poets -- is somewhat tragic.

Although Freed draws upon the poets' biographies and writings as a basis for her play, she takes much creative license with her characters, crafting relationships and events that the real poets didn't experience. To make the separation from reality clear, she gives her characters new last names.

"There's an undercurrent of truth but no one should come in with an expectation of seeing the truth," Ennals said.

Pear creative director Diane Tasca, who stars as Anne in the play, said that by offering fictional versions of the poets, Freed gave herself more freedom for creating an original work -- and a biting satire.

"She had her own vision and her own truth she wanted to tell about mental illness," Tasca said. "And she has managed to create parodies -- actually beyond parodies -- of each of the poets."

Particularly humorous is the poetry featured in the play. Instead of using the poets' works, Freed wrote her own in their respective styles, exaggerating the elements for which they are best known.

"She satirizes and takes it to the next level," Ennals said.

Another comical aspect is the inclusion of 19th century poet Emily Dickinson, who appears as a ghost haunting Sylvia. Of all the play's poetry, hers is the most over-the-top.

"Emily Dickinson is seen as a ghost that kind of latches onto Sylvia," Tasca said. "It is very, very funny in a kind of twisted way."

However, beneath the humor is a serious exploration of the connection between creative genius and mental illness, suggesting that perhaps the poets wouldn't have been as talented without their internal struggles. In fact, the play's title comes from Sigmund Freud, who called madness the ultimate form of therapy, and Freud is referenced throughout the play.

While those with knowledge of mid-century poetry will especially appreciate the play, Ennals and Tasca said theater-goers need not know anything about the poets or their work to enjoy it.

"People who like dark comedy and satire will love this," Ennals said. "You could know nothing and still have a really good time. You don't have to have a PhD in literature to get this play."

Yet, due to adult content and language, both director and star warn that the play is appropriate only for audience members above the age of 14.

"High school students would really enjoy the play," Tasca said. "It's not the modern literature class you had in high school."

@email::Katie Vaughn can be reached at mvvoicearts@yahoo.com.
Information: What: "The Psychic Life of Savages" presented by Pear Avenue Theatre Where: Pear Avenue Theatre, 1220 Pear Ave., Unit K When: May 20-June 5, with performances Thurs.-Sat. at 8 p.m. and Sun. at 2 p.m. Call: (650) 254-1148 or visit www.thepear.org.

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