Identity crisis on the stage

A woman claims to be a survivor of the Titanic tragedy.
By GARRY L. CLARK
VINDICATOR STAFF WRITER
CHAMPION -- Kent State University Trumbull Campus Theatre presented its opening performance of the psychological thriller "Scotland Road" Friday evening. The plot follows the discovery in the late 20th century of a young woman dressed in 19th century clothing who is rescued from an iceberg in the middle of the North Atlantic. She utters only one word to her rescuers, "Titanic." Thus begins a drama filled with a labyrinth of odd twists and turns much like the myriad passageways that tunneled through the decks of the ill-fated ship in April 1912.
One passageway in particular gives the play its title, as Scotland Road was a passageway on E deck of the Titanic which ran the entire length of the luxury liner.
The young woman, Winifred, has been taken to a room on the coast of Maine where she is being questioned by John, an expert on the history of the doomed ocean liner, who is determined to unravel the mystery of this woman who appears to be genuine. Or is she merely tabloid fodder?
With him in his quest is Dr. Halbrecht, who is overseeing Winifred's care, and is frequently at odds with John's methods as well as his motives.
John is determined to prove the woman a mere pretender to attention, but she seems to thwart him at every turn, having knowledge of the disaster that appears to truly be first-hand. A visit by another survivor of the ship, Frances Kittle, further deepens the mystery as it also answers a few questions until the deeper mystery begins to unfold.
Cast
Tom Horrell gave a truly excellent portrayal of John, at times badgering the woman almost mercilessly and yet trying to desperately discover who or what she really is.
For her part, Miriam Cole as Winifred turned in a fine performance, spending most of the first act in complete silence, conveying her emotions and confusion with little more than facial expressions.
Michelle R. Savory was suitably clinical as Halbrecht, but also gave her character a genuine concern for her patient even as some of her own secrets were revealed.
Performing the role of Frances Kittle was Donnagene Palmer, who was superb as the very elderly survivor with an extremely surprising secret.
Jason M. Beagle serves as director of this piece, with Michelle Harvey as technical director and scenic and lighting designer.
Beagle sums up the introspective message of "Scotland Road" quite succinctly in his director's notes in the program, stating in part, "At some time in our lives, we all struggle with our identity. Wishing we were someone other than who we are for fear that who we are might be less than who we want to be."