Review: Creature Feature
MICHAEL SMITH World Scene Writer, 06/12/2004
Nell Gwyn, played by Mary Forester (sitting on floor); Mrs. Farley from left), played by Michon Hughes; Mrs. Marshall, played by Cyndi Hamill; Mrs. Betterton, played by Billie Sue Thompson; and Doll Common, played by Susan Webb, in the Theater Club's play Playhouse Creatures," on Monday. STEPHEN PINGRY / Tulsa World
New Theater Club production is entertaining, thoughtful
The first actresses of the English theater, allowed on stages with the onset of Charles II's Restoration, were admired by audiences for their flesh and for the novelty of seeing them in their natural habitat -- just like animals at the zoo.
Thus the title "Playhouse Creatures," playwright April De Angelis' tale of five of these performers and the challenges they faced in 1670s London, which opened Thursday night as the newest Theater Club production at Nightingale Theater.
Pay equity, abortions, sexual abuse -- these women faced issues that ring true among today's societal hot-button issues, giving the play a definite feminist feel and appeal.
There are no male characters in this play, but the play makes clear early and often that men are the unseen controllers of these women's lives.
But what makes the play more than a modern argument in historical dress is each character's strong individuality and the sophisticated construction on which De Angelis hangs her taut, pointed and witty dialogue.
What makes this production such an entertaining success is the strong ensemble work of the performers and director Jim Queen's ability to find the humor in this work, a light touch that charms the audience.
Oh, there are sad events and much for these interesting women to overcome, but there is also an infectious camaraderie among them. Despite their fiery competitiveness, varying backgrounds and differing ambitions, there is a bond of sisterhood that the cast pulls off to great effect.
An introduction to the characters and the cast seems in order:
- Nell Gwyn (portrayed by Mary Forester), a cunning young tart who ascended in her notability thanks to determined ambition, a quick wit and, more than anything, becoming mistress to the king;
- Doll Common (Susan Webb), the cretinous, ancient housekeeper/nanny for the theater and commentator for the backstage dramady;
- Mary Betterton (Billie Sue Thompson), the actor/manager's 50ish wife who imagines herself in control of this little troupe's professional lives. But while her husband enjoyed the glory from his leading roles at the playhouse, the audience lost interest in her as her physical beauty faded;
- Rebecca Marshall (Cyndi Hamill), a fiercely independent actress who loves her craft -- and the thought of breaking up the good old boy's club and sharing in theater profits; and
- Elizabeth Farley (Michon Hughes), a coquette who sees the king as her exit line until she becomes pregnant, an immediate sentence to the streets, because acting in her condition is illegal and could close the theater if found out.
The ensemble effort is superb, with standouts Webb as the haunting, matter-of-fact Doll and Thompson's Mrs. Betterton, a blind dreamer who is always performing, whether on stage or off.
Also to be commended is Rita Boyle's period costume design. Among the few quibbles with this show were the lighting design and the need for clearer projection on a couple of occasions for the actors to be heard over the air conditioning.
The play shows how royal favor, and favors, created a cycle of leading ladies and cast-offs among the women. In the end, Gwyn is essentially Charles II's high-class hooker -- and she considers herself to be lucky, something that the other women might aspire to.
These are women who broke new ground but ultimately wondered -- in De Angelis' play, at least -- whether their efforts had served any good purpose.
See " Playhouse Creatures " and you will know the answer to this question.
Theater Club's production of " Playhouse Creatures" continues with 8 p.m. performances Saturday, Thursday-Friday and June 19 at Nightingale Theater, 1416 E. Fourth St. Tickets are $8 and may be reserved by calling 557-8012.