If you expect technical bells and whistles to be entertained at the theater — don’t see “The School for Scandal.” If you want to see some of Whidbey’s best actors perform a script of wickedly funny comedy written by Richard Sheridan, do go see “The School for Scandal.” If you want to be amazed by the transformation of your neighbors and friends into the scandalous pupils in this comedy of manners, do see “Scandal.” Bottom line — school is in and it can’t be missed.
The opening weekend of WICA’s production of “The School for Scandal,” directed by Lewis Carlino proved to be extravagantly stripped down theater. It’s a contradiction that transports theatergoers back in time. It is a contradiction to be seen.
The story opens the doors to the homes and gossiping lives of 1770’s uppercrust England. It all occurs within one day that Lady Sneerwell (Shelley Hartle) and her circle of backstabbing friends are up to no good.
Sneerwell is a dried-up shriveled prune of a woman who longs for Sir Peter Teazle (David Ossman). Hartle is grand as the cruel, manipulative and sly Sneerwell who twists the crank of the gossip mill. She gives every other eyebrow raising female villain a run for her money. Don’t get in her way.
Her sidekick Snake is a hissing character of a follower. While he oozes sleaze, this gossip court jester (Robert Snead) is seemingly endearing. He even drew his own round of applause in mid-production and an extra round of applause at the final curtain call.
Tossed into the mix are newlyweds Sir Peter (David Ossman) and Lady Teazle (Deana Duncan), whose age differences only agitate the talkative masses.
Ossman and Duncan deliver comedic banter to which any husband and wife can relate. After all the complaining, he reasons his anger with “but I love her.” She’s going to eventually leave them broke, but he loves her. Some things never change.
As if their squabbles weren’t enough tension in the freshly inked union, Sneerwell spins that the young Lady Teazle has been philandering around with the carefree Charles Surface (Eric Mulholland) who’s off drunken and hollering “here-here” with his friends. During the auction scene Charles jokes of two Parliament member relatives “This isn’t the first time they were bought — or sold.”
Even people the characters trust to confide in cannot be trusted at all. People who appear nice are merely candy-coated with a bitter chocolate inside core.
The scandal takes place on a set that was constructed in the same manner it would have been in 1770s London. The sets are rich, vibrant, colorful, extravagant — yet simple. Characters make costume changes on stage, rather than in the wings. At first, being able to watch the scene changes seems awkward. Soon, however, it is realized as an endearing feature to this technically stripped down production.
To leave scene changes out in front, volatile and exposed is ambitious. The servants who help transform the scenes help transform the feel of the production. They become characters themselves, smiling and bumbling along.
Though set 200 years in the past, “The School for Scandal” storyline still sends audiences for a spin when keeping up with the Jones, Teazles, Sneerwells and Surfaces.
With the arrival on stage of each new character, hoots, hollers and snickering laughs could be heard as people realized who was under the makeup, wigs, and miles of fabric.
Many times the characters turn to include the audience in the scene, either for a private side note or to simply include as a part of the group’s gossiping discussion. Hartle even reaches out to question the seats.
“Scandal” is a commentary on how word of mouth tends to become long-winded and inflated. The delivery of it all is grand.
INFO BOX
‘School for Scandal’
April 16-18, 23-25, 30 and May 1 at WICA
Evening shows at 7:30 p.m. with Sunday matinees at 2 p.m. Opening night reception April 16 is hosted by the Star Bistro.
Cast of 28 is directed by Lewis Carlino. Saratoga Chamber
Players will provide musical
interludes between the intrigue.
Evening show tickets are $12 adult, $10 seniors and youth; matinees tickets are $8 all seats. Call the WICA box office at
221-8268.
Scandalous production proves simply irresistible
