A Man and a Woman Reveal Themselves Without a Word Between Them

Yazmina Reza, the Tony Award-winning writer of “Art” and “God of Carnage,” specializes in exposing her characters’ innermost thoughts and motivations through carefully crafted dialogue and dramatic confrontations.  In “The Unexpected Man,” at Shakespeare and Company’s Packer Playhouse in Lenox, MA, Man (John Woodson) and Woman (Corinna May) tell us with internal monologues about  their lives and attitudes — conversations with themselves. 

The play is an intriguing series of these self-revealing chats.

The two find themselves on a European train travelling from Paris to Frankfurt. He, identified as Paul Parsky, is on his way to see his daughter and her fiancé, whom he loathes. Parsky, a sour and arrogant man, is a famous novelist. His most recent book, “An Unexpected Man,” happens to be in her handbag.  

She, Martha, recognizes him as her favorite author and wonders if she should open the book in front of him in hopes of starting a conversation.  

After finally deigning to look at Martha, he creates an imagined life for her. 

The alternating monologues often balance each other.  He reviews his life as a series of bitter (his favorite word) experiences. 

She romanticizes a platonic relationship that had deteriorated.  

He is self-involved to a fault.

She is entranced by his proximity. 

He is critical of his work, especially “An Unexpected Man.” 

She believes he has insightfully written about her life. 

They both also speak of their own loneliness.

Though the characters have one perfunctory conversation during their trip, thanks to Reza’s skillful writing there is a tension that subtly evolves within the monologues creating intense conflicts for both people.

As they speak to themselves and, at times, directly to the audience, they comment on the lessons their lives have taught them. Parsky observes “a splinter of life among so many others, a tiny pinprick in time, amid so much pointed loneliness.’’  

Martha reflects on her own self-doubt when she says, “We keep talking about other people because we’re made up of other people, don’t you agree?” 

Directed by Seth Gordon, the conflicts develop smoothly and are peppered by laughs that do not hinder the urgency of the subtexts. But the acting is what lets the play live. Given the constraints of the script (the actors never leave their seats) the play could be extremely static. Gordon has obviously allowed his actors to explore and round out their characters. They both deliver thoughtful, disciplined performances. The production values are deceptively simple and effective. The set, designed by John McDermott, has only the two seats in the compartment. They are placed on a turntable that constantly moves, much like the characters’ thoughts.

Robyn Warfield’s lighting shifts according to Parsky’s and Helen’s ruminations.  The costumes by Stella Schwartz are precise representations of the characters’ personalities.

Parsky says an author can turn “a single moment into an eternity,” which is Reza’s strength as a playwright and an observer of mankind. This is a must-see.

“An Unexpected Man” runs until Sept. 6.  For tickets call 413-637-3353 or go to www.shakespeare.org