Though not nearly as prolific, Shakespeare's daughter Susanna lived an interesting and eventful life. Vivacious and intelligent,
she had an insatiable hunger for knowledge and yearned to learn new
things.
But a scandal tainted her peaceful life not long after she got married, and it is the subject of British playwright Peter Whelan's "The Herbal Bed," showing now through Sun., Feb. 17 at the Chamber Theatre, part of the Broadway Theatre Center, 158 N. Broadway, in the Third Ward.
In the early 17th century, Susanna (Jane Hannemann) married a successful physician named John Hall (Brian Robert Mani). John, a decent, compassionate and kind man, based his practice on the belief that nature has curing powers and finds his cures in herbs, minerals and the like.
The focus of the play is five years after the marriage. John and Susanna have a union that people envy. Both are highly respected and they have a lovely young daughter named Elizabeth (Elsa Bruno). They have no enemies and appear to have a blissful life.
Important members of this life include Jack Lane (Gerard Neugent), a smart but irresponsible apprentice to John who is always drunk and getting himself into trouble, and Rafe Smith (James Tasse), a close family friend. Susanna also has a servant, Hester (Katheryn Phillips), whom she is very close to. Hester often finds herself being harassed by Jack, though part of her enjoys it.
Before leaving for a few days to take care of a sick woman, John tells Jack that his services are no longer needed. Jack gets into too much trouble and isn't cut out for medicine. He doesn't possess the dedication that's required. John tells him to go home and find a career he's more suited to.
This does not sit well with Jack, and after John leaves, he pleads with Susanna to help him change John's mind. She refuses, and before he departs, Jack vows revenge.
To further complicate things, Susanna finds comfort in the arms of Rafe, who has long loved her. She is drawn to him as well, and longs for passion. She has enormous respect for John, but he never touches her. Susanna and Rafe share an intimate moment together before Hester abruptly interrupts it.
Later, a drunken Jack makes a surprise visit as well. He finds on a table the ingredients for a remedy to venereal disease and concludes that Susanna has the disease. She must have gotten it from Rafe.
"The Herbal Bed" is an alluring piece of work that moves swiftly and is sprinkled with drama, romance and comedy (most of it coming early on from Jack). Though no one really stands out, the engaging cast all do solid work.
Broken up into two acts and six scenes, with one 15-minute intermission, the only drawback is that a couple scenes run a little long and could use some trimming. But this doesn't prevent the play from being enjoyable and satisfying.
Single tickets for "The Herbal Bed" are $15-$30. For performance times, to order tickets or for more information, call (414) 291-7800 or visit www.chamber-theatre.com.
