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+ | "Starring in Fugard's dramatic masterpiece are Darryl Maximilian Robinson as Zachariah and Jonathan Pereira as Morris, who are two brothers living in Port Elizabeth, South Africa, victims of the Satanic, oppressive apartheid...Both actors provided for the audience a profound and compelling interpretation of "The Blood Knot" of two brothers white and black who were both confused and bewildered. From beginning to its conclusion, Robinson and Pereira were totally involved in the play...Having seen many productions of "Blood Knot" since it first premiered two decades ago, Excaliber Shakespeare Company's production is by far the best I have witnessed." -- '''Earl Calloway, The Chicago Defender,''' Feb. 10, 1999. |
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+ | "Morris, the lighter younger brother, struggles to maintain his ground against his domineering working-class older and darker brother Zachariah. Actor-director Darryl Maximilian Robinson wears the laborer Zachariah's roughneck demeanor like a pair of well-worn work boots. Douglas Pelletier's portrayal of Morris is a perfect foil to Zachariah...Both actors bring their character's conflict to a boil in physical scenes that are as searing as the scenes of emotional sparring. This production of The Blood Knot shows the path to racial accommodation will not always be painless." -- '''Robert Schultz, The Chicago Outlines, Theatre,''' Feb. 17, 1999. |
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+ | "There are times when material and individuals click, They mesh. They congeal. Such is the case with the works of Athol Fugard and the actor/director/producer Darryl Maximilian Robinson. As the founder of The Excaliber Shakespeare Company of Chicago, a multi-racial professional Chamber Theatre, he has performed such classics as Beckett, Shaw and Shakespeare with a historical perspective and a obvious love of the material. The production has been well staged. One reason is Robinson himself. His voices soars with appreciative emotion. His stage presence engulfs as it brings life to the character. His is a performance, very well executed. Crisply precise. But, when he performs in a Fugard play, else happens. He no longer acts a role. He is the role." -- '''Al Boswell, A Point of View, The Gary Info''', Feb. 4, 1999. |
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+ | == Joined By Talented Young Actors Jonathan Pereira and Douglass Pelletier Alternating In The Role of Morris, Excaliber Shakespeare Company of Chicago Founder Darryl Maximilian Robinson, Returning To The Plays Of Athol Fugard, Directed and Played Zachariah In The South African Master Dramatist's ''The Blood Knot'' And Captured A 1999 Chicago Black Theatre Alliance / Ira Aldridge Award Nomination For Best Direction Of An Ensemble == |
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+ | Two biological brothers, one white-skinned, one black-skinned, living under the boot of the racist policy of apartheid in Port Elizabeth, South Africa ( as well as living under the same pondokkie roof ), stand at the center of the powerful, emotionally-searing, humorous and touching dramatic masterpiece known as '''Athol Fugard's''' '''''The Blood Knot.''''' Morris, the lighter brother, refuses to venture from the house. He does not wish to be identified or caught not fitting in . Zachariah, the darker brother, must work to provide bread and means, but also must face the foul, unjust and oppressive practices the white authorities heap on him at any time for a moment's pleasure. Fugard's tale of oppression, apartheid, and ultimately bonding brotherhood was his first truly acclaimed stage work. Due to the political climate at the time, the work initially received a premiere of one public performance only in 1961, with '''Athol Fugard''' appearing as Morris, and his gifted life-long friend and fellow actor '''Zakes Mokae''' as Zachariah in Johannesburg, South Africa. However, a highly-respected and noted American theatre producer, '''Lucille Lortel''', opted to present the work Off-Broadway in New York in 1964, starring '''J. D. Cannon''' as Morris and '''James Earl Jones''' as Zachariah under the direction of '''John Berry'''. The piece ran at '''The Cricket Theatre''' for 239 performances, '''the first South African in New York play to feature a multi-racial cast, received fine notices, and launched Athol Furgard's American career as a playwright! '''It would be decades later, and only having staged multiple productions of '''Fugard's''' '''''Master Harold And The Boys''''', that Excaliber Shakespeare Company of Chicago Founder and Joseph Jefferson Citation Award-winning Principal Actor '''Darryl Maximilian Robinson''' would feel drawn and compelled to direct and play Zachariah in '''Fugard's poignant, racially-charged tale of sibling rivalry.''' He mounted the ESC's 1999 revival of '''The Blood Knot''' at '''The Heartland Cafe Studio Theatre''' in the Rogers Park neighborhood of The Windy City. And he was lucky and blessed to play Zachariah opposite two fine and talented actors alternating in the role of Morris: '''Douglass Pelletier''' and '''Jonathan Pereira.''' Most critics and audiences responded quite positively to Director Robinson's second staging of a Fugard work, and though it ultimately garnered no Chicago Jeff Citation Award nominations, '''The 1999 Excaliber Shakespeare Company of Chicago revival of The Blood Knot was Jeff Recommended.''' And, at the end of the theatre season, for his staging of the play, '''Darryl Maximilian Robinson received a 1999 Chicago Black Theatre Alliance / Ira Aldridge Award Nomination for Best Direction Of An Ensemble.''' Mr. Robinson has always been grateful to his "two stage brothers" from The Blood Knot for that. |
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[[File:Robinson_as_Zachariah_Petersen_in_the_1999_Excaliber_Shakespeare_Company_of_Chicago_production_of_The_Blood_Knot_at_The_Heartland_Cafe_Studio_Theratre_2_.png|frame|PASSING FOR WHITE: Actors Jonathan Pereira as Morris ( the white brother ) and Darryl Maximilian Robinson as Zachariah ( the black brother ) in the 1999 Excaliber Shakespeare Company of Chicago revival production of the great Athol Fugard's drama of apartheid, inhumanity, oppression, prejudice and, yes, brotherhood "THE BLOOD KNOT" directed by Mr. Robinson at The Heartland Cafe Studio Theatre in The Windy City. This ESC revival of Fugard's first American stage success was Jeff-Recommended ( judged under consideration for awards ) and earned Mr. Robinson a 1999 Chicago Black Theatre Alliance / Ira Aldridge Award Nomination for Best Direction Of An Ensemble. Photo by Peter Blatchford.]][[File:2016-02-19.png|frame|left|SIBLING RIVALRY IN PORT ELIZABETH, SOUTH AFRICA DURING APARTHEID: Actors Jonathan Pereira as Morris ( the white brother ) and Darryl Maximilian Robinson as Zachariah ( the black brother ) in the 1999 Excaliber Shakespeare Company of Chicago revival production of the great Athol Fugard's anti-apartheid drama "THE BLOOD KNOT" directed by Mr. Robinson at The Heartland Cafe Studio Theatre in The Windy City. Photo by Peter Blatchford. ]][[File:Blood_Knot_Author_Athol_Fugard.jpg|frame|left|THE RENOWNED PLAYWRIGHT AND ORIGINAL MORRIS: The great South African Playwright, Director and Actor Athol Fugard, joined by his friend and associate for many years, Zakes Mokae, playing Zachariah, the black brother, wrote and portrayed the role of the white brother, Morris, in the premiere of "THE BLOOD KNOT" in South Africa in 1961.]][[File:41xCqNLDWfL._SX313_BO1,204,203,200_.jpg|frame|Playscript of "THE BLOOD KNOT" and other fine dramatic works by Athol Fugard.]][[File:Zakes_Mokae_-_photo.jpg|frame|THE ORIGINAL ZACHARIAH: The one and only Zakes Mokae, one of South Africa's truly great stage and screen actors originated the role of Zachariah, the black brother, in the first performance of "THE BLOOD KNOT" in his country of origin in 1961. ]][[File:34256936711_8789c31ac6.jpg|frame|left|A REVIVAL DIRECTOR AND ZACHARIAH: Excaliber Shakespeare Company of Chicago Founder and Los Angeles-based Theatre Artist Darryl Maximilian Robinson , who won a 1997 Chicago Joseph Jefferson Citation Award as Outstanding Actor In A Principal Role In A Play for his performance as Sam Semela in the ESC's Jeff Citation Best Production-nominated revival of the great Athol Fugard's "MASTER HAROLD AND THE BOYS", was thrilled and honored to direct and play Zachariah, the black brother, with the fine actors Douglas Pelletier and Jonathan Pereira alternating as his white brother, Morris, in The ESC's 1999 revival production of Athol Fugard's anti-apartheid drama "THE BLOOD KNOT" at The Heartland Cafe Studio Theatre in The Windy City. The ESC's revival was JEFF-RECOMMENDED ( judged under consideration for awards ) and he earned a 1999 Chicago Black Theatre Alliance / Ira Aldridge Award Nomination for Best Direction Of An Ensemble for his efforts! ]][[File:20203069310_ce302a4b04.jpg|frame|A REVIVAL MORRIS: Gifted actor Jonathan Pereira received fine notices for his portrayal of Morris, the white brother, in the 1999 Excaliber Shakespeare Company of Chicago revival production of Athol Fugard's anti-apartheid drama "THE BLOOD KNOT" at The Heartland Cafe Studio Theatre in The Windy City.]][[File:19770245744_a42ff70c63.jpg|frame|left|A REVIVAL MORRIS: The talented actor Douglas Pelletier won critical praise in The Chicago Outlines press for his portrayal of Morris, the white brother, in the 1999 Excaliber Shakespeare Company of Chicago revival production of Athol Fugard's anti-apartheid drama "THE BLOOD KNOT" at The Heartland Cafe Studio Theatre in The Windy City.]][[File:1_(10).jpg|frame|left|Logo of the multiracial chamber theatre, The Excaliber Shakespeare Company of Chicago by Tony Hrubes.]][[File:34408386645_e8d0d5190c_o.jpg|frame|left|Feb. 1999 Chicago Reader News-photo of Douglas Pelletier as Morris ( the white brother ) and Darryl Maximilian Robinson as Zachariah ( the black brother ) in The Excaliber Shakespeare Company of Chicago Jeff-Recommended revival production of the great South african playwright Athol Fugard's powerful anti-apartheid drama of brotherhood "THE BLOOD KNOT" directed by Mr. Robinson at The Heartland Cafe Studio Theatre in The Windy City by Peter Blatchford. ]][[File:34408406385_0705a66703_o.jpg|frame|Feb. 1999 Chicago Outlines Theatre Review of Darryl Maximilian Robinson as Zachariah ( the black brother ) and Douglas Pelletier as Morris ( the white brother ) in the Excaliber Shakespeare Company of Chicago revival production of Athol Fugard's "THE BLOOD KNOT" by Robert Schultz. ]][[File:33545348384_8cd91fae52_o.png|frame|left|Feb. 1999 Gary Info Theatre Review of Darryl Maximilian Robinson as Zachariah ( the black brother ) and Jonathan Pereira as Morris ( the white brother ) in The Excaliber Shakespeare Company of Chicago revival production of the great South African playwright Athol Fugard's "THE BLOOD KNOT" by Al Boswell.]][[File:34346158356_b790d0e961_o.png|frame|left|Photo of Jonathan Pereira as Morris ( the white brother ) in Director Darryl Maximilian Robinson's staging of The Excaliber Shakespeare Company of Chicago revival production of Athol Fugard's "THE BLOOD KNOT" at The Heartland Cafe Studio Theatre in The Windy City by Peter Blatchford.]][[File:34257193271_48ab093e2a_o.png|frame|Photo of Jonathan Pereira as Morris ( the white brother ) in Director Darryl Maximilian Robinson's staging of The Excaliber Shakespeare Company of Chicago revival production of Athol Fugard's "THE BLOOD KNOT" at The Heartland Cafe Studio Theatre in The Windy City by Peter Blatchford]][[File:Excaliber_Shakespeare_Company_photo_feature_story_on_The_Blood_Knot_from_May_1999_in_The_Chicago_Crusader..png|frame|left|May 1999 Chicago Crusader Feature Story on Darryl Maximilian Robinson as Zachariah ( the black brother ) and Jonathan Pereira as Morris ( the white brother ) in the Jeff-Recommended Excaliber Shakespeare Company of Chicago revival production of the great South African playwright Athol Fugard's anti-apartheid drama of brotherhood "THE BLOOD KNOT" directed by Mr. Robinson at The Heartland Cafe Studio Theatre in The Windy City. News-photo by Peter Blatchford. ]][[File:1999_Jeff_Recommended_banner_for_The_Excaliber_Shakespeare_Company_of_Chicago's_revival_of_Athol_Fugard's_The_Blood_Knot._.jpg|frame|left|A 1999 Chicago Joseph Jefferson Awards Committee "JEFF RECOMMENDED" Banner for the 1999 Excaliber Shakespeare Company of Chicago Revival production of the great South African playwright Athol Fugard's powerful anti-apartheid drama of brotherhood "THE BLOOD KNOT." ]][[File:Download.jpg|frame|Showcard for Athol Fugard's "THE BLOOD KNOT." ]][[File:Excaliber_Shakespeare_Company_Theatre_Review_of_The_Blood_Knot_in_the_Feb._10_edition_of_The_Chicago_Defender..png|frame|left|Feb. 1999 Chicago Defender Theatre Review of Darryl Maximilian Robinson as Zachariah ( the black brother ) and Jonathan Pereira as Morris ( the white brother ) in The Excaliber Shakespeare Company of Chicago revival production of the great South African playwright Athol Fugard's powerful anti-apartheid drama of brotherhood "THE BLOOD KNOT" directed by Mr. Robinson at The Heartland Cafe Studio Theatre in The Windy City. News-photo by Peter Blatchford. ]][[File:2153_001.jpg|frame|May 1999 Chicago Defender Feature Story on Darryl Maximilian Robinson as Zachariah ( the black brother ) and Jonathan Pereira as Morris ( the white brother ) in the Excaliber Shakespeare Company of Chicago Jeff-Recommended revival production of the great South African playwright Athol Fugard's powerful anti-apartheid drama of brotherhood "THE BLOOD KNOT" directed by Mr. Robinson at The Heartland Cafe Studio Theatre in The Windy City written by Earl Calloway. ]][[File:1_large_(1).png|right]][[File:The_Heartland_Cafe_Studio_Theatre_in_The_Windy_City..jpg|frame|The intimate Heartland Cafe Studio Theatre of Chicago played host to several Excaliber Shakespeare Company critically-praised, award-nominated and award-winning productions including the ESC's 1999 revival staging of the great South African playwright Athol Fugard's powerful anti-apartheid drama of brotherhood "THE BLOOD KNOT."]][[File:1_large_(3).jpg|left]][[File:Darryl_Maximilian_Robinson_earned_a_1999_Black_Theatre_Alliance_/_Ira_Aldridge_Award_Nomination_as_Best_Direction_Of_An_Ensemble_for_Athol_Fugard's_The_Blood_Knot._.jpg|frame|Excaliber Shakespeare Company of Chicago Founder and Los Angeles-based Theatre Artist Darryl Maximilian Robinson is winner of a 1999 Chicago Black Theatre Alliance / Ira Aldridge Award Nomination for Best Direction of An Ensemble for his staging of the ESC's 1999 critically-praised revival production of the great South African playwright Athol Fugard's powerful anti-apartheid drama of brotherhood "THE BLOOD KNOT" at The Heartland Cafe Studio Theatre in The Windy City. ]] |
[[File:Robinson_as_Zachariah_Petersen_in_the_1999_Excaliber_Shakespeare_Company_of_Chicago_production_of_The_Blood_Knot_at_The_Heartland_Cafe_Studio_Theratre_2_.png|frame|PASSING FOR WHITE: Actors Jonathan Pereira as Morris ( the white brother ) and Darryl Maximilian Robinson as Zachariah ( the black brother ) in the 1999 Excaliber Shakespeare Company of Chicago revival production of the great Athol Fugard's drama of apartheid, inhumanity, oppression, prejudice and, yes, brotherhood "THE BLOOD KNOT" directed by Mr. Robinson at The Heartland Cafe Studio Theatre in The Windy City. This ESC revival of Fugard's first American stage success was Jeff-Recommended ( judged under consideration for awards ) and earned Mr. Robinson a 1999 Chicago Black Theatre Alliance / Ira Aldridge Award Nomination for Best Direction Of An Ensemble. Photo by Peter Blatchford.]][[File:2016-02-19.png|frame|left|SIBLING RIVALRY IN PORT ELIZABETH, SOUTH AFRICA DURING APARTHEID: Actors Jonathan Pereira as Morris ( the white brother ) and Darryl Maximilian Robinson as Zachariah ( the black brother ) in the 1999 Excaliber Shakespeare Company of Chicago revival production of the great Athol Fugard's anti-apartheid drama "THE BLOOD KNOT" directed by Mr. Robinson at The Heartland Cafe Studio Theatre in The Windy City. Photo by Peter Blatchford. ]][[File:Blood_Knot_Author_Athol_Fugard.jpg|frame|left|THE RENOWNED PLAYWRIGHT AND ORIGINAL MORRIS: The great South African Playwright, Director and Actor Athol Fugard, joined by his friend and associate for many years, Zakes Mokae, playing Zachariah, the black brother, wrote and portrayed the role of the white brother, Morris, in the premiere of "THE BLOOD KNOT" in South Africa in 1961.]][[File:41xCqNLDWfL._SX313_BO1,204,203,200_.jpg|frame|Playscript of "THE BLOOD KNOT" and other fine dramatic works by Athol Fugard.]][[File:Zakes_Mokae_-_photo.jpg|frame|THE ORIGINAL ZACHARIAH: The one and only Zakes Mokae, one of South Africa's truly great stage and screen actors originated the role of Zachariah, the black brother, in the first performance of "THE BLOOD KNOT" in his country of origin in 1961. ]][[File:34256936711_8789c31ac6.jpg|frame|left|A REVIVAL DIRECTOR AND ZACHARIAH: Excaliber Shakespeare Company of Chicago Founder and Los Angeles-based Theatre Artist Darryl Maximilian Robinson , who won a 1997 Chicago Joseph Jefferson Citation Award as Outstanding Actor In A Principal Role In A Play for his performance as Sam Semela in the ESC's Jeff Citation Best Production-nominated revival of the great Athol Fugard's "MASTER HAROLD AND THE BOYS", was thrilled and honored to direct and play Zachariah, the black brother, with the fine actors Douglas Pelletier and Jonathan Pereira alternating as his white brother, Morris, in The ESC's 1999 revival production of Athol Fugard's anti-apartheid drama "THE BLOOD KNOT" at The Heartland Cafe Studio Theatre in The Windy City. The ESC's revival was JEFF-RECOMMENDED ( judged under consideration for awards ) and he earned a 1999 Chicago Black Theatre Alliance / Ira Aldridge Award Nomination for Best Direction Of An Ensemble for his efforts! ]][[File:20203069310_ce302a4b04.jpg|frame|A REVIVAL MORRIS: Gifted actor Jonathan Pereira received fine notices for his portrayal of Morris, the white brother, in the 1999 Excaliber Shakespeare Company of Chicago revival production of Athol Fugard's anti-apartheid drama "THE BLOOD KNOT" at The Heartland Cafe Studio Theatre in The Windy City.]][[File:19770245744_a42ff70c63.jpg|frame|left|A REVIVAL MORRIS: The talented actor Douglas Pelletier won critical praise in The Chicago Outlines press for his portrayal of Morris, the white brother, in the 1999 Excaliber Shakespeare Company of Chicago revival production of Athol Fugard's anti-apartheid drama "THE BLOOD KNOT" at The Heartland Cafe Studio Theatre in The Windy City.]][[File:1_(10).jpg|frame|left|Logo of the multiracial chamber theatre, The Excaliber Shakespeare Company of Chicago by Tony Hrubes.]][[File:34408386645_e8d0d5190c_o.jpg|frame|left|Feb. 1999 Chicago Reader News-photo of Douglas Pelletier as Morris ( the white brother ) and Darryl Maximilian Robinson as Zachariah ( the black brother ) in The Excaliber Shakespeare Company of Chicago Jeff-Recommended revival production of the great South african playwright Athol Fugard's powerful anti-apartheid drama of brotherhood "THE BLOOD KNOT" directed by Mr. Robinson at The Heartland Cafe Studio Theatre in The Windy City by Peter Blatchford. ]][[File:34408406385_0705a66703_o.jpg|frame|Feb. 1999 Chicago Outlines Theatre Review of Darryl Maximilian Robinson as Zachariah ( the black brother ) and Douglas Pelletier as Morris ( the white brother ) in the Excaliber Shakespeare Company of Chicago revival production of Athol Fugard's "THE BLOOD KNOT" by Robert Schultz. ]][[File:33545348384_8cd91fae52_o.png|frame|left|Feb. 1999 Gary Info Theatre Review of Darryl Maximilian Robinson as Zachariah ( the black brother ) and Jonathan Pereira as Morris ( the white brother ) in The Excaliber Shakespeare Company of Chicago revival production of the great South African playwright Athol Fugard's "THE BLOOD KNOT" by Al Boswell.]][[File:34346158356_b790d0e961_o.png|frame|left|Photo of Jonathan Pereira as Morris ( the white brother ) in Director Darryl Maximilian Robinson's staging of The Excaliber Shakespeare Company of Chicago revival production of Athol Fugard's "THE BLOOD KNOT" at The Heartland Cafe Studio Theatre in The Windy City by Peter Blatchford.]][[File:34257193271_48ab093e2a_o.png|frame|Photo of Jonathan Pereira as Morris ( the white brother ) in Director Darryl Maximilian Robinson's staging of The Excaliber Shakespeare Company of Chicago revival production of Athol Fugard's "THE BLOOD KNOT" at The Heartland Cafe Studio Theatre in The Windy City by Peter Blatchford]][[File:Excaliber_Shakespeare_Company_photo_feature_story_on_The_Blood_Knot_from_May_1999_in_The_Chicago_Crusader..png|frame|left|May 1999 Chicago Crusader Feature Story on Darryl Maximilian Robinson as Zachariah ( the black brother ) and Jonathan Pereira as Morris ( the white brother ) in the Jeff-Recommended Excaliber Shakespeare Company of Chicago revival production of the great South African playwright Athol Fugard's anti-apartheid drama of brotherhood "THE BLOOD KNOT" directed by Mr. Robinson at The Heartland Cafe Studio Theatre in The Windy City. News-photo by Peter Blatchford. ]][[File:1999_Jeff_Recommended_banner_for_The_Excaliber_Shakespeare_Company_of_Chicago's_revival_of_Athol_Fugard's_The_Blood_Knot._.jpg|frame|left|A 1999 Chicago Joseph Jefferson Awards Committee "JEFF RECOMMENDED" Banner for the 1999 Excaliber Shakespeare Company of Chicago Revival production of the great South African playwright Athol Fugard's powerful anti-apartheid drama of brotherhood "THE BLOOD KNOT." ]][[File:Download.jpg|frame|Showcard for Athol Fugard's "THE BLOOD KNOT." ]][[File:Excaliber_Shakespeare_Company_Theatre_Review_of_The_Blood_Knot_in_the_Feb._10_edition_of_The_Chicago_Defender..png|frame|left|Feb. 1999 Chicago Defender Theatre Review of Darryl Maximilian Robinson as Zachariah ( the black brother ) and Jonathan Pereira as Morris ( the white brother ) in The Excaliber Shakespeare Company of Chicago revival production of the great South African playwright Athol Fugard's powerful anti-apartheid drama of brotherhood "THE BLOOD KNOT" directed by Mr. Robinson at The Heartland Cafe Studio Theatre in The Windy City. News-photo by Peter Blatchford. ]][[File:2153_001.jpg|frame|May 1999 Chicago Defender Feature Story on Darryl Maximilian Robinson as Zachariah ( the black brother ) and Jonathan Pereira as Morris ( the white brother ) in the Excaliber Shakespeare Company of Chicago Jeff-Recommended revival production of the great South African playwright Athol Fugard's powerful anti-apartheid drama of brotherhood "THE BLOOD KNOT" directed by Mr. Robinson at The Heartland Cafe Studio Theatre in The Windy City written by Earl Calloway. ]][[File:1_large_(1).png|right]][[File:The_Heartland_Cafe_Studio_Theatre_in_The_Windy_City..jpg|frame|The intimate Heartland Cafe Studio Theatre of Chicago played host to several Excaliber Shakespeare Company critically-praised, award-nominated and award-winning productions including the ESC's 1999 revival staging of the great South African playwright Athol Fugard's powerful anti-apartheid drama of brotherhood "THE BLOOD KNOT."]][[File:1_large_(3).jpg|left]][[File:Darryl_Maximilian_Robinson_earned_a_1999_Black_Theatre_Alliance_/_Ira_Aldridge_Award_Nomination_as_Best_Direction_Of_An_Ensemble_for_Athol_Fugard's_The_Blood_Knot._.jpg|frame|Excaliber Shakespeare Company of Chicago Founder and Los Angeles-based Theatre Artist Darryl Maximilian Robinson is winner of a 1999 Chicago Black Theatre Alliance / Ira Aldridge Award Nomination for Best Direction of An Ensemble for his staging of the ESC's 1999 critically-praised revival production of the great South African playwright Athol Fugard's powerful anti-apartheid drama of brotherhood "THE BLOOD KNOT" at The Heartland Cafe Studio Theatre in The Windy City. ]] |
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Revision as of 19:01, 27 June 2019
"Starring in Fugard's dramatic masterpiece are Darryl Maximilian Robinson as Zachariah and Jonathan Pereira as Morris, who are two brothers living in Port Elizabeth, South Africa, victims of the Satanic, oppressive apartheid...Both actors provided for the audience a profound and compelling interpretation of "The Blood Knot" of two brothers white and black who were both confused and bewildered. From beginning to its conclusion, Robinson and Pereira were totally involved in the play...Having seen many productions of "Blood Knot" since it first premiered two decades ago, Excaliber Shakespeare Company's production is by far the best I have witnessed." -- Earl Calloway, The Chicago Defender, Feb. 10, 1999.
"Morris, the lighter younger brother, struggles to maintain his ground against his domineering working-class older and darker brother Zachariah. Actor-director Darryl Maximilian Robinson wears the laborer Zachariah's roughneck demeanor like a pair of well-worn work boots. Douglas Pelletier's portrayal of Morris is a perfect foil to Zachariah...Both actors bring their character's conflict to a boil in physical scenes that are as searing as the scenes of emotional sparring. This production of The Blood Knot shows the path to racial accommodation will not always be painless." -- Robert Schultz, The Chicago Outlines, Theatre, Feb. 17, 1999.
"There are times when material and individuals click, They mesh. They congeal. Such is the case with the works of Athol Fugard and the actor/director/producer Darryl Maximilian Robinson. As the founder of The Excaliber Shakespeare Company of Chicago, a multi-racial professional Chamber Theatre, he has performed such classics as Beckett, Shaw and Shakespeare with a historical perspective and a obvious love of the material. The production has been well staged. One reason is Robinson himself. His voices soars with appreciative emotion. His stage presence engulfs as it brings life to the character. His is a performance, very well executed. Crisply precise. But, when he performs in a Fugard play, else happens. He no longer acts a role. He is the role." -- Al Boswell, A Point of View, The Gary Info, Feb. 4, 1999.
Joined By Talented Young Actors Jonathan Pereira and Douglass Pelletier Alternating In The Role of Morris, Excaliber Shakespeare Company of Chicago Founder Darryl Maximilian Robinson, Returning To The Plays Of Athol Fugard, Directed and Played Zachariah In The South African Master Dramatist's The Blood Knot And Captured A 1999 Chicago Black Theatre Alliance / Ira Aldridge Award Nomination For Best Direction Of An Ensemble
Two biological brothers, one white-skinned, one black-skinned, living under the boot of the racist policy of apartheid in Port Elizabeth, South Africa ( as well as living under the same pondokkie roof ), stand at the center of the powerful, emotionally-searing, humorous and touching dramatic masterpiece known as Athol Fugard's The Blood Knot. Morris, the lighter brother, refuses to venture from the house. He does not wish to be identified or caught not fitting in . Zachariah, the darker brother, must work to provide bread and means, but also must face the foul, unjust and oppressive practices the white authorities heap on him at any time for a moment's pleasure. Fugard's tale of oppression, apartheid, and ultimately bonding brotherhood was his first truly acclaimed stage work. Due to the political climate at the time, the work initially received a premiere of one public performance only in 1961, with Athol Fugard appearing as Morris, and his gifted life-long friend and fellow actor Zakes Mokae as Zachariah in Johannesburg, South Africa. However, a highly-respected and noted American theatre producer, Lucille Lortel, opted to present the work Off-Broadway in New York in 1964, starring J. D. Cannon as Morris and James Earl Jones as Zachariah under the direction of John Berry. The piece ran at The Cricket Theatre for 239 performances, the first South African in New York play to feature a multi-racial cast, received fine notices, and launched Athol Furgard's American career as a playwright! It would be decades later, and only having staged multiple productions of Fugard's Master Harold And The Boys, that Excaliber Shakespeare Company of Chicago Founder and Joseph Jefferson Citation Award-winning Principal Actor Darryl Maximilian Robinson would feel drawn and compelled to direct and play Zachariah in Fugard's poignant, racially-charged tale of sibling rivalry. He mounted the ESC's 1999 revival of The Blood Knot at The Heartland Cafe Studio Theatre in the Rogers Park neighborhood of The Windy City. And he was lucky and blessed to play Zachariah opposite two fine and talented actors alternating in the role of Morris: Douglass Pelletier and Jonathan Pereira. Most critics and audiences responded quite positively to Director Robinson's second staging of a Fugard work, and though it ultimately garnered no Chicago Jeff Citation Award nominations, The 1999 Excaliber Shakespeare Company of Chicago revival of The Blood Knot was Jeff Recommended. And, at the end of the theatre season, for his staging of the play, Darryl Maximilian Robinson received a 1999 Chicago Black Theatre Alliance / Ira Aldridge Award Nomination for Best Direction Of An Ensemble. Mr. Robinson has always been grateful to his "two stage brothers" from The Blood Knot for that.