David Mamet has always been one of our more prolific playwrights. Weather his plays succeed or not is beside the point, because most of them are distinguished by sharply drawn characters and punchy dialog. Race is his latest work and while it has all the typical Mamet strengths I can't[for the life of me] tell you what it's about.
From what I have read, and what I can figure out the play takes place in a plush law office and concerns three lawyers [two black and one white] who are given a chance to defend a white man accused of committing a crime against a black woman. It's an interesting idea but I am at a loss to explain what goes on. The gimmick is good, the dialog crackels, Mr. Mamet has directed his own play most effectively, and the four member cast is excellent.
James Spader , David Alan Grier, and Kerry Washington are fine as the lawyers and Richard Thomas is effective as the hopeful client,so the play lacks nothing in the acting or staging department.
What the play lacked for me was clear plot development, and the good things in Race didn't make up for the problems it has.
While Race is totally involving, It's cloudy plot development, and emotional coldness make it interesting but unsatisfying theatre.
At THE ETHEL BARRYMORE THEATRE 243 WEST 47th STREET N. Y. C.
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