Two plays informed by literary gems were seen Oct. 13. Both are recommended for acting acumen and classical satisfaction, though knowledge of the resonating and originating works is not required.
The first and not to be missed is British playwright Charlotte Jones’ lovely “Humble Boy,” which continues Thursday to Sunday through Nov. 11 at New Village Arts (2787 B State St., Carlsbad, 760-433-3245 or www.newvillagearts.org).
The redemptive work concerns Felix Humble (Daren Scott), a theoretical physicist who returns to the lap of an unloving Cotswolds home following the death of his father, a beekeeper and entomologist who inspired Felix’s galactic love.
In a terrific “stretch” ” his best role so far ” Scott plays the young man, who stutters, is socially inept and, one suspects, more than a little manic and quite possibly mad. Felix stands astride genius and insanity. It’s a brilliant performance, well paced, revelatory and marvelously directed by New Village Arts (NVA) founding executive director Kristianne Kurner.
Esteemed San Diego actor Rosina Reynolds plays Felix’s critical, remote, self-deluded and self-involved mother. It’s a challenge to believe Jim Chovick as her longtime lover, the vacuous, music- and wine-loving George Pye, but the actor is light on his feet. Felix apparently knocked up Pye’s daughter Rosie (Jessica John) before leaving for academia seven years earlier.
Simplistically, Rosie thinks sex would be therapeutic for Felix and attempts to bed him once again, though she claims not to love him.
Act I is purposefully as unsettled as Felix’s mind. Felix improves only when in the presence of his mother’s Gardener (a wondrous performance by Tom Deak, who played the Ghost in NVA’s recent Hamlet). Solid support is given by Dana Case as a cloying neighbor. The play is redolent of Shakespeare’s “Titus Andronicus,” “All’s Well that Ends Well” and especially “Hamlet.” This Bardophile appreciates the humor of the Felix’s “Exit, pursued by bees.”
“Humble Boy” is an extraordinary, touching, and ultimately surprising play. At NVA, every technical element is in place, including scenic designer Francis Gercke’s detailed English garden, Jerry Sonnenberg’s lighting, John’s tweedy costumes and Tom Jones’s excellent sound design.

Acting personified in ‘The Turn of the Screw’
Large A Acting exemplifies Cygnet Theatre’s production of “The Turn of the Screw,” adapted by Jeffrey Hatcher from Henry James’ novel. Played by David Tierney (multiple characters, including the children and their housekeeper) and Amy Biedel (The Governess), the 90-minute thriller continues through Nov. 11, staged by Janet Hayatshahi in her Cygnet debut.
Gothic thrillers are not my cup of tea, though it’s amazing what spine-tingles are engendered by two actors, three staircases and Eric Lotze’s eerie lighting.
Playing Thursday to Sunday through Nov. 11, “The Turn of the Screw” is a companion piece to Conor McPherson’s one-man show “St. Nicholas,” starring Ron Choularton, staged by Sean Murray and playing through Nov. 10, with performances at 8 p.m. Monday through Wednesday. On Saturday, one may see both plays, “St. Nicholas” at 2 p.m. and “Turn of the Screw” at 8. Cygnet Theatre is located at 6663 El Cajon Blvd..
For tickets and information, visit www.cygnettheatre.com or call (619) 337-1525.