Bedroom Farce
By Sir Alan Ayckbourn
Directed by Nick Sandys
Produced by Eclipse Theatre Company
At the Athenaeum Theatre, Chicago
Hilarious British farce features a dedicated ensemble bent on producing laughs
Prolific British playwright Alan Ayckbourn has written over 60 plays and his Bedroom Farce is another funny gem now being produced by Eclipse Theatre Company at the Athenaeum Theatre. Eclipse Theatre covers only one playwright each season and Ayckbourn is their current writer. Under the clever direction by Nick Sandy, the game o 8 players exuberantly garner all the laughs contained in Ayckbourn’s Bedroom Farce. Upon entering the theatre, we see the three bedroom set (design by Mike Winkelman), we realize that a wacky, very British farce is at hand. We anticipate laughs and this farce delivers.
Ernest (Brian Parry) and Delia (Donna Steele) are a upper middle aged couple who each take the other for granted. They worry about their son, Trevor (Joe McCauley) who has married a flaky woman, Susannah (Nina O’Keefe).
Next, we meet Nick (Stephen Dale) who is bedridden with a back injury. His wife Jan (Sasha Gioppo) who is still smitten by Trevor, or so Nick believes. When Malcolm (JP Pierson) and his wife Kate (Emily Tate) host a party, Trevor, Jan and Susannah each converge into Malcolm & Kate’s bedroom as the party moves there.
Bedroom Farce is filled with exaggerated and improbable situations, crazy plots and much hilarious physical comedy. Ayckbourn has created an empathetic group of characters who are manically played by an inspired cast Wordplay, clever physical movements, absurdity, and extremely over-played characterizations mark this entertaining farce.
The dedicated, hard working cast featured a true ensemble work. I was impressed with how many funny situations this game cast encountered. Taking place in three bedrooms, the three beleaguered couples during one endless Saturday of wild mayhem, play out screwball funny situations that challenge their temperaments and their domestic order as some have moments of delightful epiphany.
We laugh and commiserate with this likeable crew of misfits. I especially like the work from Stephen Dale as the injured Nick; Emily Tate’s Kate; and JP Pierson’s Malcolm. Farce lover with laugh heartily in Bedroom Farce. This smart, lovely comedy is just what terrific summer entertainment should be. For a good time, catch the zany crew from Eclipse Theatre as they present a classic British farce in all its manic glory.
Recommended
Tom Williams
Talk Theatre in Chicago podcast
Date Reviewed: July 28, 2013
For more info checkout the Bedroom Farce page at theatreinchicago.com
At the Athenaeum Theatre, 2936 N. Southport, Chicago, IL, call 773-935-6875, www.eclipsetheatre.com, tickets $28 – $23 for seniors, $18 for students, Thursdays thru Saturdays at 7:30 pm, Sundays at 2 pm, running time is 2 hours, 1o minutes with intermission, through September 1, 2013