Flat Rock – Lisa K. Bryant directs this zany farce, which stands in stark contrast to the Playhouse’s typically crisp productions, known for their professionalism in both appearance and sound.
The fictional Cornley Polytechnic Drama Society’s annual play, The Murder at Haversham Manor, frequently encounters malfunctions with its props and scenery. The front door won’t stay shut, and later, it won’t open at all. Various bumbling actors and discarded props shuffle through it, a floor collapses, and a fire breaks out.
Props fall, get misplaced, and become mixed up. Inspector Frederick Carter (David Lind) takes notes by scribbling car keys onto a vase. Actors forget their lines, repetitively looping dialogue and a drinking scene. One mispronounces words, while others literally get “clocked.”
The hilarious plot twists more than a pretzel. The whodunnit features two murders, a sword duel, gunshots, a love letter, a new will, missing funds, and several suspects. The cast of potential culprits shifts from one likely perpetrator to another.
Feisty Techies
Director Bryant kicks things off ten minutes before curtain time, with Scott Treadway engaging the audience while portraying Trevor Watson. Trevor manages Cornley’s lighting and sound. Character actor Treadway embodies the ghastly-looking and irreverent Trevor. His booth is located at stage right, up front. Mischievous and overzealous, Trevor keeps tapping a xylophone to sound a ringing bell, ultimately becoming trapped in the Cornley play.
Stage manager Annie Twilloil (Maya Christian) steps in as femme fatale Florence Colleymoore, filling in for leading actress Sandra Wilkinson (Amanda Tong). Flo is quite the knockout—especially after actress Sandra is accidentally rendered unconscious. Annie loses script pages and has to ad-lib, shrieking as she simulates an emotional “episode.” She becomes so immersed in the role of Flo that she won’t easily relinquish it once prima donna Sandra recovers.
Flo, Cecil, Charles
Florence is engaged to Charles Haversham but is having an affair with his brother Cecil. Uh oh!
Blake Segal is the most campy of all as the melodramatic actor Max Bennett. He elicits many laughs from the audience, primarily through his wildly gesturing portrayal of Cecil and later as the mysterious gardener Arthur.
Galloway Stevens plays actor Jonathan Harris, who portrays Charles. Jonathan doesn’t have his lines interrupted; instead, his hand often gets stepped on while he lies on the couch, pretending to be dead Charles. Ouch!
Lind effectively carries the dialogue and plot with a serious demeanor and refined British accent as both the detective inspector and Chris Bean in his directorial debut. Courter Simmons plays actor Dennis Tyde, convincingly portraying the prim and proper butler Perkins.
FRP regular Paul Vonasek also shines as actor Robert Grove, who plays Florence’s violently protective brother Thomas Colleymoore.
Upcoming Shows
Upcoming FRP shows include Agatha Christie’s Murder on the Orient Express (Sept. 5-28), Autumn at the Opry, Vol. 2 (Oct. 10-26), Yellow Brick Joel: Elton John and Billy Joel tribute concert (Nov. 6-9), Broadway’s “Jersey Boy” John Lloyd Young in concert (Nov. 13-14), and A Flat Rock Playhouse Christmas (Nov. 28-Dec. 21).
The Play That Goes Wrong runs through Aug. 23. Tickets for adults are priced between $50 and $70. For tickets, visit www.flatrockplayhouse.org/the-play-that-goes-wrong.