Venue: Vancouver Playhouse
Date(s): January 7 - February 2, 2002
Reviewer: Jane Penistan
School for Wives makes a splendid opening for
the New Year by the Playhouse. This humorous seventeenth century play
is beautiful, intelligent and discerningly directed and brilliantly
acted by the Vancouver Playhouse and Manitoba Theatre Centre Company.
The charming entr'acte depictions by the puppet theatre embellish this
production as no other medium could.
Martha Henry and the cast have probed the depths of Moliere's delicious
satire on 17th century French morality, mores and humankind's inability
to manipulate human nature. Arnolphe, a rich, middle-aged bachelor,
seeing many of his friends cuckolded, is pathologically determined that
such a fate shall never befall him. He is determined to marry a wife
schooled in the art of subservience with no knowledge of the world at
large. To this end he has his ward, Agnes, educated at a convent in
the art of prayer, obedience and domestic usefulness so that she will
become his perfect unassailable wife. That she also learns to read and
write is not entirely to Arnolphe's satisfaction.
Keeping the girl mewed up in his town house, in the care of two dull
witted servants, Arnolphe thinks Agnes, is safe while he goes off to
the country on business. When a personable young man, Horace, son of
an old friend of Arnolphe, sees the girl patiently sewing on the
balcony, he bows courteously to her, and she politely bows in return.
This, aided by a bribe to the servants, leads to a pleasant meeting.
On his return Arnolphe is furious that his precious Agnes has met with
a handsome young stranger, to whom he is obliged to lend money on the
strength of his friendship with Horace's father.
From now on, things become hilariously confused. Horace does not
realize that Arnolphe is Agnes' guardian and is intent on marrying her.
Horace thenceforth informs the jealous Arnolphe of all his plans to
frustrate his beloved's guardian, and is thus prevented from carrying
out his plans to abscond with Agnes, receiving some injuries in the
process.
But in the end all is resolved as Horace's father, Oronte, arrives with
the long lost father of Agnes, Enrique, from far off America, and the
marriage that has been arranged by Oronte and Enrique between their two
children is assured. Arnolphe's best-laid plans come to naught and
young love is gloriously triumphant.
Beautifully dressed in a set which unfolds into a formal rose bordered
courtyard, the actors perform with the elegance and style befitting
their elaborate costumes and the rhyming couplets of the script.
All members of the cast excel with glorious performances from all
quarters. As Arnolphe, Hardee T. Lineham is suitably self-righteous,
self-seeking and self-satisfied. Agnes (Jennifer Paterson), his
ward and intended bride, displays charming innocence. Her awakening
realization of her true situation and her unexpected wisdom in
unfamiliar circumstances are beautifully and delicately managed. As
the notary engaged to draw up Arnolphe's marriage contract, Lumen Coad,
shows his versatility, as he is not only an irascible lawyer, but is
the maker and manipulator of the delightful puppet show entr'actes
which do so much to delineate the passage of time.
This is one of the Playhouse's best offerings in an exceptional and
excellent season. Don't miss this chance to see a classic classically
performed. It is a rare treat.
School for Wives runs at the Vancouver Playhouse January 7 -
February 2, 2002, Mondays through Saturdays, at 8.00 p.m. with
matinees Saturdays and select Wednesdays at 2.00 p.m.
Adult tickets range from $33 to $44, Seniors from $29 to $37,
Students from $19 to $23. Rush tickets, $19 are available one hour
before performance, subject to availability. Group rates are also
available.
The "BC-CTV Pay What You Can" matinee is Saturday January 12, 2002,
at 2.00 p.m. the Salon Saturday pre-performance discussion takes place
on Saturday January 19, 2002, at 1.00 p.m.
To order tickets contact the Playhouse Customer Service Office at
604-873-3311 or ticketmaster at 604-280-3311.
© 2002, Jane Penistan