Review: Faith Healer

What is a fact? A fact is an indisputable truth based on actual occurrences. Memories are recalled facts collected over a lifetime to be reviewed in fondness or nostalgia. But how trustworthy are the “facts” of memory? Memories become tainted by time and emotion. By what the person wants to believe is the truth. Memories begin as fact, but over time, transform into something partially factual and partly fiction. In Brian Friel’s Faith Healer, Francis Harding, the faith healer, his wife Grace and his manager Teddy recall their lives together, each telling the stories of their travels and the memory of the fateful night that separated them in the end.

The setting for Oak Park Theatre Festival’s production takes place in the intimate black box theatre of Madison Street Theatre. The stage is practically bare, with a single chair sitting on stage in front of a cart of chairs and a sign announcing “The fantastic Francis Hardy, Faith Healer, one night only.” Without a physical set, there’s space enough for each character to set the scene with the power of their words.

Faith Healer is performed in a series of monologues beginning and ending with Francis, or Frank as he’s known (Kevin Theis), with Grace (Mary Michell), and Teddy (Jack Hickey) in between. The moment Theis takes the stage, his presence fills it up. As he begins is monologue, he uses his whole body in the portrayal of Frank, the Irish faith healer. There isn’t one part of him that does not completely transform, from his distinct walking pattern to his hand movements, facial expressions and even his voice. Theis delivers the lines is quite a charismatic fashion, directly addressing the audience and subtly breaking that fourth wall, even catching the eyes of audience members and pulling them right into his stories. As a faith healer, Frank must sell himself as a fact and must possess the ability to persuade anybody of anything. Theis does just this. He has a way of speaking that is so convincing that you can’t not believe every word out of mouth. Theis captivates the audience, keeping them hanging on his every word.

Similarly Michell does a beautiful job of fully embodying the character is Grace, Frank’s English wife. Grace appears proper and reserved as she begins her stories but as the memories engulf her, the façade fades away and Michell doesn’t hold back the true emotions, going to a very deep and real place. You can feel her past coming to the forefront and the emotions reach right out into the audience, allowing the audience to feel along with her. Michell commands the stage, opening herself up and inviting the audience in.

Teddy, Frank’s Cockney manager, provides some comic relief in an otherwise very serious show. Hickey is delightfully funny and quick with the comedic timing, keeping the audience laughing and light-hearted. That said, he is also quite talented with dramatic timing and when those memories start to creep in, Hickey offers a raw and unhindered look at the toll his life with Frank has taken on him. Hickey is both charming and charismatic his slick, entertainment manager way but is also very likable. It’s like sitting down with an old friend to catch up on time gone by.

All three actors keep the accents solid throughout the performance and take the characters to heart. At no point does it ever feel like a performance, and often you might even forget you’re watching a play. Although the play is lengthy, clocking in around two-and-half hours, the pacing is strong and the show moves along with energy. Faith Healer proves to be a fantastic display of theatrical talent.

Faith Healer plays at Madison Street Theatre (1010 W. Madison, Oak Park) through April 16. Tickets are $20 to $25 and can be purchases here.

**** 4/4 stars

(photo credit: Michael Rothman)