x

xThe Vagabond Players
Other Desert Cities by Jon Robin Baitz

Dates and Venue October 1 - 24, 2015 at 8pm Thurs – Sat (Sunday matinees - 2pm) | The Bernie Legge Theatre, Queens Park, New Westminster

Reviewer Ed Farolan

Last matinee's performance started a bit slow, but then caught up towards the second act when the actors started feeling comfortable with their lines. The first act of any place is usually that way: you're a bit nervous as an actor with your movements that are normally acted out and not natural, but once you settle down, things get easier.

This Pulitzer Prize-nominated drama was well directed and acted by the Vagabond Players. Even if it was only a half-house where the audience, composed mostly of seniors, were a bit slow in reacting to some of the punch lines, that's a normal response in matinee performances, especially when you don't have a full house.

The set design by Steve Draper was elegant, very becoming of a rich man's house in Palm Springs. The actors Julia Grace, Karen Golden, Miles Lavkulch, Nancy Ebert and Rob Stover did justice to the script with their acting. At one instance, I almost heard someone clapping after Stover did one of his monologues in Act 2.

Kudos to director Wayne Nolan, producer Elizabeth Elwood and the entire cast and crew for a play splendidly done.

© 2015 Ed Farolan