Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey (STNJ) has an amazing Autumn planned, starting with its production of Shaw! Shaw! Shaw! This trio of gentrified genius is from the pen of George Bernard Shaw--see what the company did there?--with “Village Wooing” (1933) and its three conversations providing a delightful connection between “Overruled” (1912) and the penny dreadful perfection of “Passion, Poison and Petrifaction or The Fatal Gazogene” (1905). It makes for a perfect interlude of outdoor delight at a time when a return to a different time is refreshing.
“Village Wooing” was termed a comedietta by Shaw for its frothy awesome absurdity. It consists of a conversation in three parts. Featuring Christian Frost and Katja Yacker as A and Z respectively, the First Conversation takes place on an ocean liner where A is desperately trying to work while Z is busy trying to talk the leg off A’s deckchair. Ultimately, A is saved by the Steward (Dino Curia) and our appetite is whet for what is to come!
“Overruled” features Skye Pagon and Isaac Hickox-Young as a very mannered couple involved in a heavy flirtation. Having engaged in a shipboard romance of the most proper kind–their love is typically English and cerebral--Mrs. Juno and Mr. Lunn each discovers the other is married--to someone else, obvi. They begin to discuss their mutual predicament when they realize other people are coming into the drawing room of the seaside resort where they are staying. Most interestingly, the newly arrived couple is Mrs. Lunn (Billie Wyatt) and Mr. Juno (Christian Frost)! Rather than the end, this is only the beginning of a razor sharp “who’s on first” of comedic class-shattering repartee and logical derring-do.
Time for the Second Conversation, where we see that A is no match for Z, wits-wise, but a most excellent match otherwise, even if it will take him some time to see it. This entr'acte is a perfect course between two meatier ones and tantalizes us for the denouement, even as we eagerly anticipate the three P’s to come.
“Passion, Poison and Petrifaction” is the eldest of the three plays, written as a comic melodrama in classic style–the tropes of Victorian melodrama were familiar to the intended audiences, with many stock characters and the classic plot involving love and murder most foul. Lady Magnesia Fitztollemache (Ellie Gossage) is preparing for bed on, well, a dark and stormy night. Her maid Phyllis (Emily Michelle Walton) is the resourceful servant who knows what’s needed almost before it’s needed. The man of the house, George Fitztollemache (Jeffrey Marc Alkins) is not expected home, yet sweeps in like a spectre in tall hat and cloak–menacing and murderous. Lady Magnesia’s lover, Adolphus Bastable (Curia) stops by and must think quickly, but sadly not quickly enough. The ruckus calls forth the Landlady (Wyatt), the Doctor (Frost), and the Constable (Hickox-Young) in comic turns paralled only by Phyllis’ prowess with that most Victorian implement–the fan! Curious about what that means? You will love this tasty early Halloween treat!
The Third Conversation ties things up with a beau, pun-intended, masterful indeed, and puts a button on an evening out as out gets. From sunset to lights up, then lights down, you’ll want More! More! More!
Speaking of lights–the lighting effects, especially in P3, are part of the fun. The sumptuous costumes from the shipboard elegance of A and Z to the gorgeous gowns and stylish tuxedos of the Lunns and Junos to the Victorian frippery that gives verve to melodrama, Bonnie J. Monte selects, directs, designs sets, costumes and sound augmented by Steven L. Beckel’s site design and lighting. The Back Yard Stage wants for nothing, but YOU! Visit www.ShakespeareNJ.org before October 25!