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The Cassilis Engagement
By St. john Hankin
Directed by Robert Scogin
Produced by Shaw Chicago
At Ruth Page Theater
1016 N. Dearborn
Chicago, IL
Call 312-587-7390, tickets $15
Saturdays at 2 & 7 pm
Sundays at 2 pm
Mondays at 7 pm
Running time is 2 hours with intermission
Through February 2, 2008
Funny unknown Victorian playwright sparkles with wit and aplomb
ShawChicago found a contemporary of Bernard Shaw, St. John Hankin (1869-1909) whose 1905 comedy of manners, The Cassilis Engagement is full of laughs as it confronts high British society versus the commoners over marriage. ShawChicago offers concert readings that play out as inexpensive ($15 tickets), yet stage worthy shows thanks to stellar direction from Robert Scoglin and his cast of veteran Equity talent.
The rarely produced St. John Hankin’s drawing room comedy has Adeline Cassilis (Mary Michell) in a fit as she learns that her son Geoffrey (John Francisco) is engaged to a London commoner Ethel Borridge (Leslie Ann Handelman). Her country estate friends and relatives, led by Reverend Harries (Joseph Bowen) and his wife (Jacqueline Jones), Countess of Remenham (Deborah Davis) and Lady Marchmont (Adrianne Cury) heap their class arrogance on such a match. Adeline Cassilis calmly plots a cold-hearted plan with the aid of her sister Lady Marchmont to thwart the marriage by boring Ethel to death at the country estate.
Mrs. Borridge (the delightful Diane Dorsey in her cockney accent) is a social climber who relishes in associating with the elite of British society. Her daughter Ethel does care for the stiff Geoffrey until her isolation and boredom of country living takes over. Major Warrington (the sly and hilarious Tony Dobrowolski) displays his free spirit as he glibly shows Ethel what married life with the gentry has in store. The result is a funny, often witty comedy that smartly both offers loads of humor and a satire of the upper class English Victorian society. St. John Hankin demonstrates that Shaw and Oscar Wild were not the only quality British playwrights. Hankin’s play is a hoot. The cast offers fine accents, fine comedic timing and rich characterizations necessary to carry a light comedy of manners. Diane Dorsey and Mary Michell anchor this delight romp. You’d be hard pressed to find a funnier and better performed show for only $15. See this little gem.
Highly Recommended
Tom Williams
Tom99@chicagocritic.com for comments
Talk Theatre in Chicago podcast
Date Reviewed: January 13, 2008
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