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‘One-Acts’ gets back to Victorian-era origins
IF YOU GO
What:“An Evening of One-Acts”
Where: The Victorian Players, 702 Mahoning Ave., Youngstown
When: 7:30 p.m. May 11, 12, 18 and 19; and 2 p.m. May 13 and 20.
Reservations: 330-746-5455.
By LORRAINE WARDLE
The Victorian Players theater company has returned to its roots with its latest production, “An Evening of One-Acts.”
Originally, the founders of The Victorian Players wanted to only produce plays written in the Victorian era — hence the name. The theater company’s goals have changed and evolved over time, but they often revisit their original intentions.
The latest offering at The Victorian Players provides true Victorian era plays in the form of three comedic one acts. Though the plays are more than 100 years old, they are still quite funny and relevant.
Director J. E. Ballantyne Jr. chose three short plays that complement each other to create a light-hearted, entertaining evening. The first play, “The Marriage Proposal” by Anton Chekhov, was first performed in 1890. Though Chekhov is known for his dramas, this satire on relationships is fast-paced and funny. In it, a young man wants to propose to his neighbor’s daughter. But before he can get to the point, they argue over trivial things.
William Zeiger played the father with a natural air while Michelle Billen was a humorous daughter, her mood changing fluidly from excitement to anger to depression and back. John Thompson was amusing as the young suitor whose intentions go awry.
The second play, “The Lighthouse Keeper’s Daughter” by Muriel and Richard Eldridge, is a very short play with no dialogue. A storyteller narrates the tale as the actors pantomime the action in a very melodramatic fashion. It was like watching an old silent film. Though the script was different, it fit perfectly with the other two plays in theme and genre and gave variety to the evening.
Nearly the entire cast of the evening’s production pulled double duty for the show. Zeiger was the Story Teller, and gave an animated and entertaining reading. Thompson reappeared as the doctor and Billen was also the stage manager for the entire production.
Joining them were Thomas Lee Ewen as the Lighthouse Keeper, Sylvia Ewen as his wife, Brandi Hughes as their daughter, and C. Richard Haldi as the villain. Each cast member did an excellent job of overacting and miming the story to create a very entertaining show.
The last play, “Box and Cox” by John M. Morton, was first produced in 1847. Like “The Marriage Proposal,” it is a dialogue-based comedy with situational humor. Mr. Box is a printer who works all night and Mr. Cox is a hatter who works all day. The two unwittingly rent the same room from Mrs. Bouncer until they inevitably meet.
Haldi returned playing Mr. Cox while Thomas Lee Ewen played Mr. Box. Both men gave smooth, natural performances as Victorian gentlemen. Sylvia Ewen played Mrs. Bouncer as a somewhat feeble old lady who bumbled about the stage.