Vagabond theatrical troupes have existed as long as there has been theatre. However, staging plays where the audience follows the troupe on its journey is certainly more unusual. However, this was the case with New York Classical Theatre's production of The Rover. The play, by 17th-century playwright Aphra Behn, is a delightful comedy of disguise and deception. The playwright, one of the first professional female British writers, has been hailed as a pioneer feminist writer and this play highlights the idea of women pursuing their own paths rather than obediently following paths set for them.
And speaking of paths, the performance took place at the World Financial Center, beginning in one of the large rotundas and then continuing through four or five other points before ending in the famous Winter Garden. The often very large spaces and extremely live acoustics made the performance a challenge for the troupe but they handled the situation very well. There were only a few points when they could not be heard and the blocking for the performance was very imaginative.
Even with its feminist slant, the play is probably quite typical of comedies of the time. Though they might or might not be original with Behn, the play is peppered with great one-liners such as: "There are no sinners like young saints." and "All of the honey of matrimony without the sting."
Experiencing this play was one of the many free events available for those looking for something different to do on a budget.
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