The Piano Tuner

The Lifeline Theater production of The Piano Tuner is as faithful to the original novel as you can be in two and one half hours. I saw this production yesterday and was satisfied that they captured the feel of the novel. That does not mean that this is great theater any more than the novel was great literature, but it is an interesting story well told. The protagonist is sent from London to Burma ostensibly to tune the piano in question. The ensuing drama includes seduction by the country, by the doctor who requested the piano tuner, and by a beautiful native girl. The result is tragic and provides a dramatic climax that sent most of the audience home satisfied, myself included. Having read the novel written by Daniel Mason I knew the story and feel that, for me, the original book was more satisfying.