“A lie has no legs” is a common idiom used to say the truth will always come out.
This month, The Whidbey Playhouse presents “Cash on Delivery,” a show where lies have a myriad of disabilities, conditions and questionable family tragedies.
In this comedy set in the 1990s in London, landlord Eric Swan finally realizes it’s time to stop defrauding the government. However, rather than coming out clean and admitting he made up imaginary tenants to receive welfare money, he doubles down with the lies.
Norman Bassett, Eric’s loyal friend and tenant, is forced to become Eric’s accomplice, quickly coming up with more lies to protect his buddy from the consequences of his actions. As a result, the two end up getting too many people involved, including their partners, a psychiatrist, an undertaker and an inspector from the British Department of Social Security.
According to Director Bob Hendrix, the themes of the story are love, loyalty and pride. While wholesome, they create a hysterical dynamic where the loyal and righteous Norman clashes with the prideful Eric while everyone else tries to help them in good faith.
Hendrix described the show as a “slamming door British farce,” a type of comedy where stereotyped characters deal with ridiculous and absurd situations. And yes, it involves a lot of door slamming.
Wesley Moran, a Whidbey News-Times marketing representative who plays Eric, said he enjoys the play for its use of physical comedy.
“Getting to throw myself around on the stage is always something that I enjoy getting to do,” he said.
The plot deals with some taboo subjects and might not exactly be the most politically correct, but while the gags might elicit viewers to cover their face and exclaim a few “good heavens,” they don’t cross the line.
As Assistant Director Rusty Hendrix said, laughing at unfortunate situations can help ease nervousness.
Kevin Wm. Meyer plays Uncle George, a serial door victim and Eric’s uncle who, despite being in the thick of it, is still very clueless of what’s going on around him. Conscious or unconscious, Uncle George is the comedy relief character among other comedy characters.
“(The play) is not hard on your brain, which takes you away from all the difficult stuff in the world that’s going on,” he said.
Tina Magnoli, who plays the meek and nervous Dr. Chapman, and Amy Jones, who plays the highly emotional Grief Counselor Sally Chessington, said the show can be seen more than once as some jokes are very subtle.
Will Eric get away with swindling the government? To find out, community members can enjoy the show at 7:30 p.m. on April 5, 6, 12, 13, 19, 20, 26 and 27, or at 2:30 p.m. on April 7, 14, 21 and 28.
To purchase tickets, visit whidbeyplayhouse.com.
Photo by Luisa Loi Eric (played by Wesley Moran, at left) and Norman (Chris Kehoe) embrace in fear after Norman is caught impersonating Eric’s wife.
Photo by Luisa Loi Norman holds an unconcious Uncle George (played by Kevin Wm. Meyer).
Photo by Luisa Loi Eric’s wife Linda (played by Shealyn Christie) processes the news her husband has an… interesting family history.
Photo by Luisa Loi Eric, played by Wesley Moran, refuses to let Mr. Forbright, the undertaker played by Steve De Haven, take a body for an autopsy.
Photo by Luisa Loi Eric Swan (played by Wesley Moran) attempts to stop the undertaker (Steve De Haven) and grief counselor (Amy Jones) from taking away a body.
Photo by Luisa Loi Eric Swan (played by Wesley Moran) attempts to stop the undertaker (Steve De Haven) and grief counselor (Amy Jones) from taking away a body.
