THE HEIRESS
by Ruth & Augustus Goetz
Directed by Susan Cox
The Vancouver Playhouse until April 12, 1997
The Heiress is an adaptation of Henry James' novel
Washington Square, a romantic drama about the life of Catherine Sloper
(Wendy Noel), a young woman coming of age in the 1850's . She is the
only daughter of an affluent widower, Dr. Austin Sloper (William
Webster), who has provided her with all the best things in life including
an education and all the freedom that wealth can provide. The doctor is a
man who admires beautiful, funny, witty and elegant women-- qualities he
found in his dead wife but not in his daughter. Pushed aside by her father,
Catherine is offered a chance at love when a young suitor, Morris Townsend
(Alan Van Sprang), comes knocking at the door. But can anyone love
an awkward, socially inept young woman such as Catherine?
Wendy Noel was superb in the role of Catherine. She was so convincing
as a young girl who laughed at all the wrong times and said all the wrong
things. I could not but help empathize with her. A natural born hostess she
is not. She knocks over a table and hides in the pantry because she is
uncomfortable with chit- chat when company comes to pay a visit. However,
Catherine does come to shine as the central character in this play with the
audience cheering her on as she finally demonstrates some of that wit her
father so admired in women.
William Webster does an equally fabulous job as the father who is
just looking out for the well-being of his daughter, but forgets about her
feelings and needs in the process. Dr. Sloper possesses an Orson Welles quality
in him: strong, sophisticated but somewhat detached and sarcastic. He commands
respect from the audience and sympathy at the same time, for he is truly
a man who has suffered many losses in his life.
Special attention must be drawn to the costumes, set design, lighting and
sound in this production. Everything worked together beautifully from a fully
functioning gas fireplace and chandelier to dresses for all occasions. The
opening scene of the play is absolutely breath-taking, as the silhouette
of the maid slowly enters the stage, holding a light and illuminating the
set behind her ever so slightly. She enters the main room of the house and
slowly lights the fireplace and the individual wicks in the chandelier high
above, and with each step the audience is stirred as Slopers home comes
to life. The final touch comes as the scrim rolls up to reveal the glowing
light and warmth of the room. The lights and sounds are so subtle in setting
the mood for the play. I was impressed by the splendor of it all.
This is a well-cast play and a wonderful way for director Susan Cox
to end her tenure as the Artistic Director of The Playhouse . The rapport,
chemistry and witty conversations give the play the fast pace of a romantic
comedy more so than a drama. The social blunders of Catherine are funny and
universally appealing. I really enjoyed myself and as did everyone, Im
sure, in the audience.