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DISCLAIMER: THOUGH THIS POST DESCRIBES REAL PEOPLE AND PLACES, IT IS FICTIONAL AND FOR ENTERTAINMENT PURPOSES ONLY.
This past weekend, I had the distinct pleasure of seeing George Nalbandian’s newest play. King Jasper had a short off-Broadway run at the Daryl Roth Theatre in New York City, where it received rave reviews and eventually made its way to the Gerald Schoenfeld. However, it was not until recently that it came across the pond to the West End in our great city of London that I was able to see it. The buzz surrounding this play was so immense that it actually pushed Phantom of the Opera out of Her Majesty’s Theatre! I was beyond surprised and I knew I had to see it immediately.
Unfortunately, the tickets were sold out within hours of presales opening, so I had to wait a week before I could finally see it. After a wonderful meal at the Brasserie Zedel in Piccadilly, I made my way to the theatre in a taxi. “On your way to see King Jasper, eh?” my driver said. I replied that I was, and he told me that I was in for a treat. Though he had yet to see the play, he had purchased the manuscript and told me that Nalbandian’s command of language is simply superb. At this point, my expectations for King Jasper were astronomical.
Essentially, the plot arc of King Jasper mimics the structure of Shakespearean tragedy, in which the first act is mostly exposition, the second act begins the true plot, the third act is the climax, and the fourth and fifth act deal with the resolution. Nalbandian does an excellent job of establishing relationships and setting in the first act. This world feels densely populated, as if it existed long before act I and will continue to exist after Act V.
Nalbandian also does an excellent job of establishing problems within the kingdom. The stakes are high and because of his splendid world building, we quickly begin to care for these characters. I particularly enjoyed his use of aside in the first act to show Duke Jake Jones’ villainy. The dramatic irony works splendidly here and it keeps the audience interest high. I was on the edge of my seat from the beginning of Act I to the end of Act V.
Let’s talk more about the characters, specifically King Jasper and Duke Jake Jones. King Jasper is played by Patrick Stewart while Duke Jones is played by Kenneth Branagh. Both of these actors bring the world of King Jasper to life. I nearly cried when I saw Patrick Stewart’s interpretation of King Jasper’s Act II soliloquy. In Stewart’s performance, we see a monarch truly torn between a love for his kingdom and a love for his friends. He truly exemplifies the tragic hero archetype and it is impossible to not feel sympathy for his plight.
Kenneth Branagh’s performance of Jake Jones gives him the depth of an ocean. Instead of a moustache-twirling, cartoon-y villain, we see a villain who evokes a wide range of emotions. Anger, sadness, and even sympathy. Moreover, the chemistry between these two actors (Stewert and Branagh) and Claire Bloom (Madam Dasha) is simply delightful. The irony of Madam Dasha’s deception brings a comedic element to the play that Bloom handles superbly.
I would be remiss if I did not mention the director of the play, George Nalbandian. Nalbandian chose to self-direct his play and his passion for the theatre truly shows in the characters. After the show, I was able to catch up with Stewart and Branagh for a quick sound bite. “He (Nalbandian) is a simply superb director.” Stewart said. “I’ve never worked with someone with such a deep understanding of the theatre and what separates it from other forms of entertainment. This will not be the last time we work together.” Branagh also had this to say: “When he (Nalbandian) handed me the script, I was instantly on board. To be able to work with such a fine man on such a fine project is a once in a lifetime opportunity.”
As I said before, my expectations for this performance of King Jasper were astronomically high. Somehow, through brilliant acting and Nalbandian’s brilliant directing, they were exceeded. King Jasper is an absolute triumph in the world of theatre and it comes with my strongest recommendation. You MUST see this play!
George Nalbandian is a McConnell Scholar in the Class of 2022. He is studying political science and English at the University of Louisville.
Commentary presented here is not necessarily a reflection of the McConnell Center. Thoughts are those of the author.
George Nalbandian is a McConnell Scholar in the Class of 2022. He is studying political science and English at the University of Louisville.
Commentary presented here is not necessarily a reflection of the McConnell Center. Thoughts are those of the author.