Studio
58: Langara College
Trelawny of the Wells
By Arthur Wing Pinero
Director:Kathryn
Shaw Musical Director: Lloyd Nicholson Set
design Bryan Pollock Lighting design: Sharon Huizinga Costume
design: Marina Szijarto Stage Manager: Sydney Cavanagh
Dates: 20
March - 6 April 2003 Reviewer: Jane Penistan
This delightful Victorian
comedy graces Studio 58 stage. Opening with the full company singing
a rollicking number from a Gilbert and Sullivan light opera, the flavour
of the variety of an evening's entertainment in mid-19th century is
savoured. Crinolines, broad brimmed hats and bonnets, peg top trousers
and high starched collars are manoeuvred creditably. The singing throughout
is excellent.
Pinero wrote
this comedy late in the century, taking a nostalgic look back at the
theatre he had enjoyed thirty odd years earlier. He was well aware of
the uncertainty of employment for performers and the disdain with which
the upper middle class regarded those who gave them so much pleasurable
entertainment. The two worlds of theatre and urban respectability are
sharply contrasted in Pinero's play.
The lack of understanding
between the gypsies of the theatre and the stable, hidebound Victorian
establishment becomes a family feud. Ultimately, it is the actor- playwright
who brings the two sides together, with the result that love triumphs
and all ends happily in true romantic comedy style. Students of Victorian
theatre history may find that this theme is reminiscent of 19th-century
theatre legend.
Kathryn
Shaw has given her students a happy experience in this production. Both
the use of accents and style of acting are challenging for a young company,
and for the most part these challenges are well met. The swinging moods
between despair and joy, abandoned enjoyment and restrictive discipline
are well contrasted. The elaborate fashions of mid-19th-century dress
are full of colour and extravagant adornment and well worn by the whole
cast. Lloyd Nicholson's music, both written into the script and cleverly
inserted by the directors is well and appropriately executed.
The set is ingenious
and redolent of either the comfortable friendly theatrical lodging house
or the austere drawing room of Sir William Gower. The back stage of the
provincial theatre is bare and shabby. The lighting is well suited to
the various scenes.
As Rose Trelawny, Nicola Correia-Damude sings well and brings conviction
to her characterization. She has little or no problem with an accent.
Kelly Metzger is a delightful and versatile actor and her Avonia Bunn
is a most attractive character, particularly in her gaudy pantomime principal
boy costume, when she shocks the staid Trafalgar Gower (Robyn Katrenicz).
Christopher Frary is the diffident Arthur Gower, cowed by his grandfather
and madly in love with Rose, who find his way to astonishing his grandfather.
Nathan Schwartz is the penniless actor who tries to write a great play
and is ultimately the deus ex machina who reconciles Sir William Gower
(Kyle Rideout) to the marriage of his grandson Arthur to Rose Trelawny
of the Wells. Edwige Jean-Pierre is an admirable bustling landlady of
theatrical lodgings, Mrs. Mossop. Josh Epstein's not-as-good-as-he-thinks-he-is
tragedian, Ferdinand Gadd, is a nice piece of caricature.
Trelawny of the
Wells is a very enjoyable evening's entertainment, well performed
by the Studio 58 company. Pinero's work is rarely seen today, but as
a period piece, this production is not to be missed.
© 2003 Jane Penistan
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