Classic and classy tale of murder wins new friends
Jun 9 2008 by Rachel Suddart, The Journal
Arsenic & Old Lace at Theatre by the Lake, Keswick (in rep until November 5)
STEFAN Escreet’s production of this classic American black comedy gets off to an attention-grabbing start. As the audience is plunged into darkness, the auditorium is filled with sounds of a bustling city and you’re immediately transported to 1940s Brooklyn.
The lights go up to reveal the quaint sitting room of the Brewster family home.
We soon learn that the Brewsters are not quite your average family. Lovable aunts Martha and Abby have a penchant for poisoning lonely old men, Mortimer is a dashing, urbane theatre critic who hates the theatre and Teddy thinks he’s the president.
Mortimer’s early declaration that “insanity runs in my family ... it practically gallops” becomes ever more apposite with the arrival of the third Brewster boy one dark and stormy night.
Jonathan proves to be a dangerous man with an alcoholic plastic surgeon for a sidekick and a face like Boris Karloff. And that’s without even mentioning the body in the boot.
As the plot unfolds, the action is cleverly staged around the one location so there is no need for distracting set changes.
Matthew Vaughan plays Mortimer with a style and panache that would make Cary Grant proud. The exchanges between Mortimer and Elaine are a joy to watch .
But the highlight is the wonderful casting choice of Andrew Pollard as Jonathan. Brooding and mysterious, his gentle and disturbing voice, graceful movements and imposing presence made for a dark and sinister character who owns every scene in which he appears.
Overall, the dialogue and characterisation are witty and charming, spoiled only by the tone of voice adopted by the two Brewster aunts.
Their high-pitched delivery didn’t quite have me reaching for the arsenic but by the end of the second half, a paracetamol or two wouldn’t have gone amiss.
In his role as critic, Mortimer cynically proclaims that theatre won’t last. With productions like this on offer, he’s way off the mark. This is a very funny and well-staged production.
