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Fraught family gathering powers Steppenwolf's 'Herd'

Can superlative emotional acting win out over some technical performance flaws? That's a question facing audiences at Steppenwolf Theatre Company in Chicago as they watch the U.S. premiere of the stirring and powerful 2013 British family drama "The Herd."

"The Herd" is a remarkably accomplished first crack at playwriting by British actor Rory Kinnear. Best-known stateside for playing Bill Tanner in James Bond films starring Daniel Craig, Kinnear is also critically acclaimed onstage - particularly for recent London turns as Shakespeare's "Hamlet" and Iago in "Othello."

As a playwright, Kinnear has drawn from aspects of his own family's challenging history to color the conflicts that drive "The Herd." That's probably why much of the play feels so authentic and emotionally searing.

"The Herd" focuses on three generations of a family who gather for a birthday party in a suburban London home that prominently features a play area with a neat pile of children's toys. But it gradually becomes clear that the toys are there for the 21-year-old birthday boy, Andy, a severely disabled adult.

The fact that Andy currently lives in a care home doesn't necessarily mean that his harried mother, Carol (Molly Regan), is any less stressed since she's constantly battling with his minders via telephone. Andy's long-single older sister, Claire (Audrey Francis), also has her share of worries since she intends to use the party as a way to introduce her boyfriend, Mark (Cliff Chamberlain), to the family, which includes her unashamedly class-conscious grandmother, Patricia (Lois Smith), and her genial mobility-challenged grandfather, Brian (John Mahoney).

But the arrival of an uninvited guest (Frances Guinan as Ian) causes an uproar and prompts a number of heated and angry revelations. Carol's party plans are derailed, and any hopes of a reconciliation appear slim.

With its well-blended mix of humor and histrionics, "The Herd" offers meaty dramatic material that plays to the strengths of Steppenwolf and its reputation for go-for-broke acting. And director Frank Galati's handsome production ultimately succeeds thanks to the nothing-left-on-the-table performances of the entire ensemble.

Yet, with such powerful performances on show, it's disappointing that a number of the actors could not consistently maintain their British accents. It's a disturbing technical flaw that ultimately detracts from the otherwise high-caliber acting and gripping confrontations.

Brian (John Mahoney) asks for a cup of tea from his granddaughter, Claire (Audrey Francis), in Rory Kinnear's British drama “The Herd” at Steppenwolf Theatre in Chicago. COURTESY OF MICHAEL BROSILOW/STEPPENWOLF THEATRE
Carol (Molly Regan) gets stressed out over the preparations for her son's 21st birthday in Steppenwolf Theatre's “The Herd.” COURTESY OF MICHAEL BROSILOW/STEPPENWOLF THEATRE
Patricia (Lois Smith) shares her thoughts with daughter Carol (Molly Regan) in Steppenwolf's production of “The Herd.” COURTESY OF MICHAEL BROSILOW/STEPPENWOLF THEATRE

“The Herd”

★ ★ ★ ½

Location: Steppenwolf Theatre, 1650 N. Halsted St., Chicago, (312) 335-1650 or

steppenwolf.org

Showtimes: 7:30 p.m. Tuesday through Friday, 3 and 7:30 p.m. Saturday (no shows May 9), 3 and 7:30 p.m. Sunday (no evening shows after May 10), 2 p.m. Wednesday matinees May 13-27; through June 7

Tickets: $20-$86

Running time: About one hour and 45 minutes, no intermission

Parking: Metered street parking and nearby pay parking garages

Rating: For teens and older; includes mature subjects, language

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