THE SUFFRAGETTE’S MURDER – Written by Sandy Rustin; Directed by Margot Bordelon. Produced by the Denver Center Theatre Company (the Kilstrom Theatre, 14th and Curtis, Denver) through March 9th. Tickets available at 303-893-4800 or denvercenter.org.
Sandy Rustin is an up-and-comer in the world of American playwrights. Having just seen the Colorado premiere of her lighthearted British comedy, THE COTTAGE (now playing at the StageDoor Theatre in Conifer), I fully expected another complicated farcical high-energy comedy, and I was not disappointed.
THE COTTAGE is a parade of purloined partners. MURDER has its own set of improbable twists and turns that, as they are performed, seem perfectly logical until they pile in another unexpected complication. It’s so much fun to see it all come alive in front of you and respond in shock with the whole audience at the next revelation. You’ll never see them coming.
The owners and tenants of a boarding house in the 1850’s in lower Manhattan were fierce activists in favor of women’s right to vote. Even the men get in on the action. They are planning a rebellious act that is just a little bit on this side of shady. The arrival of a constable upsets their plans and forces them into hiding their “weapons” and creating an impromptu seance to cover their activities. Chaos ensues.
The cast is committed to comedy and does excellent work. Mr. And Mrs. Mayhew (as played by Megan Hill and Mathew Boston) are the owners of the boarding house, happily married until they aren’t. Linda Mugleston and Annie Abramczyk are mother and daughter boarders, Mariam and Mabel Adams, having escaped their small town to wait for Mabel’s impending (but unmarried) happy event. Rowan Vickers and Curtis Wiley are two boarders who could not be more opposite. Vickers as Leopold Albright is unpleasant, rude, and bigoted. Wiley as Tennyson Jennings is pleasant, polite, and helpful. There is one other boarder – the silent Mr. Orton (Gareth Saxe) who sits quietly in the nook under the staircase observing the activity. He proves to be a most valuable asset in saving the day for the boarders. The Constable is investigating the disappearance and supposed murdered sixth boarder. it’s sort of a “Who’s on First” routine as he tries to sort out everyone’s connection. It’s a little bit pointless as relationships change throughout the evening.
The two-story set reminded me so much of the set for a Victorian NOISES OFF, I kept imagining what was going on behind those formidable walls to the second floor. Beautifully appointed, comfortable without being ostentatious, the Mayhews boarding house for people in need would have been a good place to live in for a while. Director Margot Bordelon kept the action moving and the changing relationships clear. Ms. Rustin should be very happy with this inaugural production.
A WOW factor of 8.75!!