SEE Magazine
Copyright © 1998. All Rights Reserved.
ON STAGE
BY BARBARA NORTHREVIEW
Charley's Aunt
directed by Leslie D. Bland
at the Kaasa Theatre through July 19Mistaken identities, men dressed as women, and marriage proposals make for successful comic mayhem in Charley's Aunt, now playing at the Jubilee Auditorium's Kaasa Theatre.
A 19th century Three's Company, created in 1892, long before there was even a small screen for Jack, Chrissy and Janet to chase each other across,Charley's Aunt is a popular British farce that has been making theatre rounds around the world for over one hundred years. The play has three acts which set up, further mix up, and eventually resolve a farcical situation of mistaken identity revolving around the visit of Charley's aunt.
Jack Chesney and Charley Wykeham, played by Cam Northey and Garett Ross respectively, are two young gentlemen intent on proclaiming their love to some Victorian vixens. Charley's aunt is supposed to be the chaperone for this meeting but when she can't make it, Lord Fancourt Babberley, or Babs, played by Michael Scholar, Jr., is shanghaied into playing the aunt. Throw in more bachelors who think that Babs is an eligible, albeit not too attractive, millionaire and Charley's real aunt eventually showing up only to meet a man impersonating her, and you're set up for some crazy comic conflicts.
The Edmonton version of the comedy stars notable talents spawned from our local musical comedy gene pool. While the entire cast was well-chosen, gave excellent performances and neatly complemented each other, Michael Scholar, Jr. was outstanding as Lord Fancourt Babberley, who also pretends to be Charley's aunt. His lithe physical comedy and cocky, tongue-in-cheek portrayal of a young rogue playing a full-blown Victorian lady makes for a charming, funny and irreverent performance.
At one point Babberly, in the guise of Charley's Aunt, interacts spontaneously with one of the audience. Tired of the strain of acting like a proper lady, he steals a masculine moment to enjoy a cigar. Unable to light it, he leans over and asks an audience member to help him. He then chatted with the young fellow briefly and thanked him for his help. This enamored the audience even more with the on-stage antics.
Director Leslie D. Bland has done an excellent job of making Charley's Aunt a comedy experience for the audience. The intimate, comfy Kaasa Theatre is an excellent venue for such a farce. Actors come running through audience entrances, wigs fly off and bustles are bursting to reveal trousers, kisses are stolen and straitlaced butlers sniff their disinterest.
British comedies seem able to pull audiences out of the woodwork and it was great to see people of all ages enjoying live theatre. I admit it did surprise me to see children in the audience, but it was even more surprising to see them enjoying themselves away from their Segas. This only goes to show the appeal of the cast and the play.
You know what to expect when you watch a British comedy. You know that there will be pratfalls and mistaken identities, and yes, you probably know exactly what's coming. But thanks to this particular cast, director, choice of period costumes, nifty stage design and, of course, the fun, fake, drawling British accents, you will enjoy it all over again.
Charley's Aunt runs through July 19, alternating performances with the musical comedy Dames at Sea at the Jubilee Auditorium's Kaasa Theatre.
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