Fault Line's storefront theater is often the starting point for aspiring actors, a place to learn to memorize short scripts, take direction on a very small stage, and have some fun. It is also a theater with two-week runs -- a short rehearsal schedule. Both of which mean that experienced actors between gigs can hone their skills while making a very short commitment. The current offering includes a continuing series, "Heroes, Incorporated 3," subtitled "John System vs. The Global Crime League."
The script includes the quite evil King Tyler (Ted Falagan) pitted against the delightfully not-all-together John System (Scott Shackelford). The opening scene (one of five) has System learn a martial art on the sadistic Master Ping (Richard Lau). Lau's Ping is the master from hell, which includes everything from screaming in his students ear to sucker punches. The Global Crime League (GCI) features Dr. Harriet Chaos, delightfully played by Amber Lafferty, Richard Lau as a thug, and Deborah Fabiano as the wordless Abdullah. King Tyler and GCI are no match for John System. Shackelford's double role, as a robot, is a delight right out of 1950s sci-fi films.
"Conagher Jones & The Road To Hades" is also an ongoing theme. This costume drama stars Richard Fowler as One-Eyed Willy, a delightful rogue, and Ted Falagan as the title character. The play opens in Filthy Frieda's Pub. Frieda (Amber Lafferty) is pretty laid back in this episode. A perfect devil is Michelle Burkhart, who gives the audience some insight into the play and into the workings of Hades. Burkhart is, without a doubt, a most charming devil but one requiring constant watching by audience members. Olga Bezenkov and Jeannette Rizzi are new to The Fault Line and bring an added charm to the production. Finally, as Kate The Red, Jessie Stewart offers Falagan a challenge in hand-to-hand combat and feistiness.
These are not Falagan's best works, nor are they perfectly realized; Falagan persists in instructing his cast to increase volume when just a little bit more acting is required. Also, a sign and plot point in Hades needs a bit more ink so that the back row can read it. On the plus side, the pieces do platform some upcoming talent we'll see more of in theaters throughout San Diego, and The Fault Line is finally acknowledging that somebody is making the lights change and the music and effects happen. At The Fault Line you never know what you are going to see. You do know that there will be a few new faces, some interesting short plays, and the experience of storefront theater.
