Strong Performances Anchor “Mister Roberts”

by Jana Pollack, New Rep Reviewer

Like so much of the artistic work that arose from World War II, "Mister Roberts" is painted in broad strokes. A product of its time, this play, set on a cargo ship in the Pacific near the end of the war, presents little complexity, but is marked by the clear sense of duty that characterized the time of its conception. As New Repertory Theatre's season opener, this production is well-directed and full of strong performances.

Much of the strength of this production comes from the ensemble, and it's clear that director Kate Warner understood this important element and focused on fostering it. That work pays off, and the guys aboard "the old bucket," as the ship is often referred to, have genuine relationships that are fun to watch. Across the board, "Mister Roberts" is well acted. The most memorable performance comes from the scene-stealing Jonathan Popp as Ensign Pulver, who anchors his work so that it lands solidly throughout the piece. Often, he seems to surprise even himself when he begins to talk, and the moments of these boyish revelations are some of the production's most enjoyable. Mr. Popp is in good company, as well; Thomas Piper as Mister Roberts brings an elegance to his leading role, and Owen Doyle, as Doc, consistently delivers comedic lines with perfect timing.

The problems in this production lie almost entirely in the script. Unfortunately, though the actors do their best with the material provided them, none of the characters is fully drawn, making much of the play feel like a missed opportunity. The hero of "Mister Roberts" is a man whose only flaw is that he wants to help people too much. The captain is a villain when the play begins, and he remains so; the crew members are good boys throughout. In essence, the play is written in black and white. So, while the work that goes into this piece is very fine, the lack of depth in the script means that it fails to deliver a lasting message.

Patrick Lynch's set displays three levels of "the old bucket," and it is very effective in creating clear territories. The presence of the captain's lair, located in the upper right corner, is always felt, but the crew members relax when they are on the lower deck, farthest from him. The structure itself presents a noise problem, however - the metal plates on its steps and floors make quite a racket when stepped on, and the actors sometimes have to fight to make their lines heard over an exiting or entering cast member.

"Mister Roberts" is an entertaining evening of theatre, and Warner has carefully crafted a piece that is easy to enjoy. This is not groundbreaking theatre - performed today, this play is not a groundbreaking play - but it is very good. The quality of the production overcomes the flaws of the text, and although it won't leave you deeply inspired, it will certainly satisfy.