Review: Through the Leaves

Sitting through Through the Leaves is an uncomfortable experience on many levels. It is a devastating and sad story of two extremely lonely people involved in an unhealthy, yet (we believe) common relationship.he show is a demanding character examination and requires strong acting to compliment the intense script. Both Nicholas Campbell (as Otto), and Maria Vacratsis (as Martha) measure up and make these lonely characters relatable.

Martha is a butcher who own and operates a quaint successful shop; she is sweet, and in her 50's believes that her time spent developing her business means she has missed her chance for romantic love. Instead she has Mr. Otto who comes along, offering if not romance, some sort of companionship. However, right from the opening scene we see this is going to be a hard man to love.

Otto is a pig. He is narrow minded, cruel and selfish. Between insulting Martha and getting drunk off of the sweat of her brow, he reveals his many ideologies regarding the sexes. Otto is consistently reinforcing how men and women have set roles and they need to remain in them and not question these laws. It makes him crazy and bitterly angry that Martha is independent and makes more money than he does. A sentiment he takes out on her dog, Ralphie.


While it might be difficult for the audience to tolerate 75 minutes of Otto's abuse and Martha's complacency the acting and staging keep, what could be a weary script, going. Although this marks his directorial debut, Philip Riccio's direction is natural and lends itself strongly to the script. Interpretation seems spot on. Our only critique regarding staging was keeping Nicholas Campbell's Otto in plain sight of the audience while in the wings, particularly when his final exit, accompanied by the sound of a swinging door, was so effective.

Mr. Riccio's direction was further enhanced by the superb designer of Mr. John Thompson. Most of the action takes place in the the apartment adjoining the butcher shop. Visible upstage through several door ways and a window, is the shop itself. The complexity of the set allowed for lots of interesting moments onstage.

Playwright Kroetz's, Through the Leaves, insinuates that it is always better to be with someone than to be alone. And while the dialogue is compelling and avoids sounding didactic, Martha and Otto's romance is a hard pill to swallow. Thanks to a nuanced script, strong acting, and a well set stage, this dark story, which otherwise, might crash into the audience without any chance for genuine sympathy instead leaves you feeling fraught with tension, disgust and pity. Another strong production by The Company Theatre.

Through the Leaves runs at the Tarragon Extra Space till October 3rd. Click the header for more information about tickets and The Company Theatre.

LM JH