THE QUARREL IN ARLES

Narrator Timothy Portnoy's restrained performance underscores the serious emotional relationships among artist Vincent Van Gogh; his brother, Theo; and the artist Paul Gauguin. This production poignantly dramatizes the events leading up to Vincent's infamous incident of self-mutilation. Set during six months of 1888, when Vincent and Paul lived and painted together in the yellow house in Arles, the story is told through the reading of actual letters to Theo combined with fictionalized dialogue. Portnoy shifts smoothly between the stage director, and the dialogue and private thoughts of Vincent, Paul, and Theo. Periodically, the intensity of mood lifts with piano interludes of Beethovan's MOONLIGHT SONATA, followed by the musings of Johanna Bonger, delightfully delivered by Amelia Gotham, as she considers whether or not to marry Theo. J.E.S. Winner of AudioFile Earphones Award © AudioFile 2022, Portland, Maine [Published: FEBRUARY 2022]