ArtsWest's Amy's View: Rampant Anglophilia

Ah, bless the Brits. Were it not for their entrenched habit of regularly going to the Theater, holding a cultural spot in their lives as normal as TV and the movies, we wouldn't have things like David Hare's Amy's View, which could be seen at ArtsWest in West Seattle through this weekend. One could expand that sentiment to include all of Europe, but Amy's View is a distinctly British beast, not simply because everyone speaks with an accent, but because of the way it approaches its subject matter -- because of what it is.

What it is is a middle-brow affair ostensibly about a mother, Esme (Julie Jamieson), her daughter, Amy (Angela DiMarco), and their relationship. At least that's true on the surface, a lot of stage time is taken up catering to this story line. "Will Esme ever get over her immediate dislike of Amy's boyfriend Dominic (Robert Hinds)? Will Dominic ever stop being inscrutable? Why does Amy put up with both of them?" What's at stake here is Amy's contention that Love Conquers All, and the play spends a good portion of its energy determining whether its characters will allow it to happen.

Along the way, Hare liberally throws in discussions on any number of topics that he simply decided to have these voices talk about: modern entertainment media, what the new generation thinks of the Arts, even the dangers of investment banking, among others. It often feels as if the sincere soapy elements of the main story serve as a backdrop for these other issues Hare was obsessed with; further, it only offers a fairly standard presentation of the opposing viewpoints. It seems as if Hare just wanted to introduce these topics to serve as talking points for the audience to pick up after the show is over.

This is where the play's British pedigree comes into play, because the play then assumes that the audience will be conversant enough on the issues to supply their own point of view. Amy's View does not provide an argument for any side -- sure, it's pro-Arts and pro-theater, but beyond that, not so much. Depending on one's opinion, that's either a positive or a negative. Your correspondent prefers having a point of view presented, the better to instigate discussion; but the fact that the playwright trusts the audience to come up with something of their own to say on these issues is something. Whether it's a sign of respect or intellectual laziness is debatable. In this instance, your correspondent will return the playwright's favor by not saying which way he leans.

Once one has taken those elements away from Amy's View, what we're left with is a soapy little story anchored by solid performances. The chemistry between Jamieson and DiMarco is effortless; Hinds is appropriately cold and distant; Paul Custodio's turn as Frank, Esme's hapless, put-upon neighbor who is hopelessly devoted to her (but also inadvertently leads her down a primrose path) is as layered as the material allows him to be. DiMarco displays a comfortable lived-in quality with the British casual humor and reserved drama the play calls for.

Amy's View is aimed at people who seek nothing more than to spend a couple of hours with witty and intelligent people, and thus delivers an amiable time at the theater. This is not the stuff of high drama (not even the twist delivered at the top of the last act -- which arrives at random and aims to pull on the heartstrings -- achieves an emotional impact); while some would argue that it is pedestrian and offensive in its banality, the material only warrants a contented, if non-committal, shrug.

Its true merit is in giving its cast and crew something to play with, which they do with admirable commitment. It is also a small pleasure to be presented with material that respects the audience's intelligence, even if it avoids engaging it. Beyond that, it's probably best not to wonder what it's all in the service of, what the play is supposed to stand for, as it's clear the playwright hasn't done so either.

Through Saturday at 7:30p.m. // ArtsWest, 4711 California Avenue SW // $10 - $34.50, tickets available here.