The Arts Club Theatre

IT'S SNOWING ON SALTSPRING

by Nicola Cavendish

Starring Andrew Rhodes, Frances Flanagan, Beatrice Zeilinger, Ian Ross McDonald, Nicole Robert.

Directed by Janet Wright

Set Design by Ted Roberts

THIS MADCAP COMEDY JUST RIGHT TO START THE HOLIDAY SEASON

by Roxanne Davies

Oh, how hard it is to pity those Saltspring Islanders. Living a cozy, tranquil, and pastoral existence on Bedspring, oops! I mean Saltspring Island, away from the traffic congestion and craziness of Vancouver, it seems they should have little about which to complain. But that doesn't stop people from creating their own angst, and that is exactly what happens to the main character of this charming Christmas comedy. It's quite hard to call Bill Bannister, played by Andrew Rhodes, a hero, since he seems so unheroic. At times, I found him quite irritating.

It seems that Christmastime encourages introspection and soul searching, and poor Bill is having a roaring mid-life crisis at 48, unhappy being a dentist, incapable of being happy that his wife Sarah, played by Frances Flanagan is pregnant with their first child. In fact, the baby is over 22 days late and Sarah wails "it's probably because it doesn't feel welcome."

Using this human experience as a plot device, well known Vancouver actor and playwright Nicola Cavendish lets her imagination wander ,and creates some fun-loving characters that frolic across a beautiful set designed by the talented Ted Roberts. It looks like a juvenile Hallmark Christmas card come to life.

The Reverend Chris Kane (Ian Ross McDonald) and his wife Marti (Beatrice Zeilinger), a lusty duo, if ever there was one, try to cheer the unhappy couple. They help to bolster the rather weak interaction between the Bannisters. Kane got quite a few laughs with her rendition of Lord of the Dance. In the second act, McDonald and Zeilinger do double duty as Santa and Mrs.Claus, and teach the hapless Bill that he is a lucky man, even if he didn't get that Davy Crockett hat in the Christmas of 57, and he learns about the true value of Christmas --love, duty, sacrifice and good cheer.

Christmas time seems to inspire entertainment that deals with the tender emotions, the heart, and family relations. But we didn't come to see this Cavendish production to shed a tear. This is a madcap comedy with fast paced action, humorous dialogue, and lots of sight gags. It's also timely, and Santa got quite a laugh when he describes the letter he got from Bill Clinton who wanted to know the legal definition of a good boy.

The real scene stealer is Nicole Robert, who plays hilarious, snarly realtor Bernice Snarpley in Act I, and a bad -breathed, sex starved elf in Act II. She alone is worth the price of admission as she puts on a high octane performance.

The set in the second act is quite wonderful, with its puffy clouds, Advent calendar proscenium arch and conveyor belt dumping tons of toys down a chute. Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer makes a cameo appearance, and you get the impression behind a closed door of five hundred elves busy at work, while filing a grievance with Elves Local #18.

So as we start trudging towards Christmas Eve, with all the trials and tribulations of too much food, family and Visa bills, this Christmas comedy helps lighten the load with laughter.