[NoHo Arts District, CA] – A NoHo Arts theatre review of ELATE’s world premiere stage adaptation of Dashiell Hammett’s The Maltese Falcon, adapted and directed by Jeff Zimmer, and produced by Steven Kirk and Sara Locke.
This adaptation is not based on the movie version with Humphry Bogart, or on the novel, but on the original material, the Black Mask magazine serial version, published in 1929. Although, unless you are very finicky, I don’t think you would notice, or, considering the genuine brilliance of this play, care much if you did.
A love theatre adaptations of iconic films and The Maltese Falcon is a perfect choice. Brash, bold, with one strong mesmerising storyline, full of vivid stylised characters. It’s a jewel of a story and this version is particularly well engineered.
The story revolves around Sam Spade, a private detective who is in business with his partner Miles. They are hired to tale a man and Miles is murdered, along with the man he was following. The police try to pin it on Sam Spade, but he quickly points out the many holes in their case and they cool off. But after a few meetings with the woman who hired them both, he finds himself beginning to fall for her, the ephemeral Miss O’Shaughnessy.
Miss O’Shaughnessy pleads for Spade’s help, and as he is drawn in and the story unfolds with revelation after revelation, these wild twists and turns determine Sam Spades role in it as well as his destiny. However, it’s the cool calm and mostly collected Sam Spade that steals the show. With his uncanny ability to remain calm when all about him are spinning out of control. It’s as if he remains a few steps ahead of everyone, even the audience. It’s a wonderful and compelling way to hold us happily captive.
The Maltese Falcon is a gripping yarn. A dark path down which every character is pulled, some willingly and some not. But the result of all this subterfuge and intrigue is hard to resist and quite brilliantly played out in ELATE’s wonderful compelling version.
The cast is superb, embodying these iconic, strange and deeply disturbed characters with finesse and nuance. The costumes are incredible. They truly elevate the performances and the entire production. The suits, the hats, the shoulders sharp as knives, 1930’s clothing was phenomenal and probably a lot of fun to work with. Trying to stay true to the original they did a truly remarkable job with this fascinating and ingenious play about the worst and the best of human nature. Bravo!!!!
The good people of ELATE have a hit on their hands!!
Where:
ELATE Theatre
6020 Radford Ave, North Hollywood, CA
When:
October 10-26
Friday and Saturday at 8 p.m., with Sunday matinees at 2 p.m.
Tickets:
https://www.ticketleap.events/events/elate
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