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‘Pure Confidence’ @ Theatrical Outfit
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
THEATER REVIEW. Grade: B -
In Carlyle Brown’s Civil War period piece, “Pure Confidence,” a whip-smart enslaved jockey named Simon Cato tries to race his way to freedom by virtue of his masterful understanding of horses and men.
Now running at Theatrical Outfit, “Pure Confidence” is a fascinating study of the psychological underpinnings of the ante-bellum South — when wealthy whites deigned to treat their black servants like surrogate family members, piling hypocrisy high with affection.
“I tell my wife all the time, ‘I like that Simon, I love that boy like a son’,” says Colonel Wiley “The Fox” Johnson (James Donadio), cloaking his superficial kindness with enough “n” words to make contemporary audiences squirm.
What the Colonel wants more than bourbon and women in hoop skirts is money. And Simon (Eugene H. Russell IV) knows how to manipulate the master’s greed to his own benefit — buying his wife Caroline (Jade Lambert-Smith) from the Colonel’s wife, Mattie (Marianne Fraulo) before he can win his own emancipation. Eventually, Simon acquires his own horse, enters into business with the Colonel and takes to the derby circuit — without regard to the blindspots of chance.
“Pure Confidence” is a withering meditation on the art of gaming, power and control — or how bondage and freedom pivot on animal instincts of cruelty, fear, survival and, after a twisted fashion, kindness.
But this intimate study of the epic Southern past is far better written than realized in this likeable but seldom galvanizing production by director Gary Yates. More often than not, the level of energy and emotional engagement is more at half trot than full gallop.
Yet even if the show won’t win silver cups and garlands of roses, it gives deep insights into the human impulse to strive for freedom, even when the race has been rigged long in advance.
THE 411: 7:30 p.m. Wednesdays-Saturdays. 2:30 p.m. Sundays. Also, 10:30 a.m. Wednesday and 2:30 p.m. March 29. Through March 30. $25. Theatrical Outfit, Balzer Theatre at Herren’s, Downtown. 678-528-1500, theatricaloutfit.org
Bottom Line: Likeable though not an entirely winning show.
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