‘Love’s Labor’s’ Lost in Contradictions

How odd that a mall that looks so lifeless should provide a home for a creative force. The humbling of the Plaza Pasadena has given the Pasadena Shakespeare Company a venue. Gillian Bagwell directs her talented ensemble ably enough in her version of Shakespeare’s seldom-produced comedy, “Love’s Labor’s Lost,” but the whole affair lacks a cohesive vision.

The King of Navarre (Charles Currier) and three of his lords led by the boastful Berowne (David Fruechting) decide to devote their lives to academia and avoid all romantic entanglements for three years. But the king of France is ill and sends his beautiful and wise daughter (Andrea Sondreal) on a diplomatic mission to Navarre’s court along with three ladies-in-waiting.

Under Bagwell, the contrast between the besotted men and the sober dignity of the women is too great. The men, particularly Berowne, are played too big and boastful, while the women are lacking in lust and foolish pride. Having the men swear to a monastic existence while drunk undercuts the irony of the ensuing action, and the men slip in and out of sobriety as required by their speeches.

The ladies, in their lovely but anachronistic costumes of identifying pastels, are oddly out of sync with the men who appear in black pants, high black leather boots and loose white poet shirts. With such attention paid to the women’s costumes, a scene in which the men misidentify the women is especially perplexing.

* “Love’s Labor’s Lost,” east end of Plaza Pasadena, second floor, Euclid and Green streets. Thursdays-Saturdays, 8 p.m.; Sundays, 3 p.m. Ends July 20. $14. (818) 564-8564. Running time: 2 hours, 45 minutes.