Community theatre relies heavily on volunteer actors and support staff, so often there is a mixture of talent in smaller theatrical venues.
This is not the case, however, with the Clague Playhouse adaptation of W. Somerset Maugham's The Constant Wife.
Set in the 1920s drawing room of the middle-aged (no pun intended) Constance Middleton (Laura Starnik), the show is a period comedy of manners which truly reveals that what is said is often not what is necessarily intended.
As the show opens, we see Constance' mother Miss Culver (adeptly played by Bernice Bolek) reveal that Constance's husband is having an extramarital affair with his wife's best friend Marie-Louise (Candace Lipton). In the catty fashion of high society, this discussion takes place between youngest daughter Martha (Elaine Feagler) and mom, unknown to Constance.
As the play unfolds, the audience is treated to irony after irony, as we soon learn that Constance is acutely more aware of the situation than anyone ever intended!
Director Bill Modic has turned what could easily be labeled an "outdated" piece of theatre into a lively and enjoyable evening. The characterizations of both Constance and her husband, John (Bob Goddard) are entertaining, as it is obvious who wears the pants in this upper-class household. Starnik drips with charm, and Goddard plays an excellent "good-natured, yet tongue-tied" bumble of a husband.
Elaine Feagler as patronizing younger sister Martha and Candace Lipton as the ditzy Marie-Louise are equally good; and Bernice Bolek, who is usually excellent, continues her trend of quality theatre in this role. The cast is capped off with the quality quartet of Maud Holm as Barbara; Lou Will as Bernard Kersal; Matthew Solarz as Mortimer Durham; and Joe O'Brien as Bentley, the loyal butler.
Set designer Ron Newell gives the audience an appealing locale for this intimate show. Due to the close proximity of the stage to the audience, one feels as if they are sitting in the drawing room themselves!
Quick Synopsis - "The Constant Wife" is a great example of community theatre at its best. It's a "don't miss" for certain!
"The Constant Wife" runs during the month of March at Clague Playhouse. For ticket information, contact the box office at (440) 331-0403, or visit their website at www.clagueplayhouse.org
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2 comments:
Thank you for writing about this exceptional community theatre. Some reviewers refuse to cover this venue and it is an integral part of Cleveland's vibrant arts community.
Couldn't agree more with both the Review and first Comment.
The show was energetic and entertaining. Cast delightfully engaging.
And Clague is -- because of the people who work so hard behind the scenes -- a gem in which to both experience theater and create it.
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