(Editor’s Note: The following is a review of the Clarkston Village Players? opening production. Look for a review of each of the plays in this season’s lineup here in The Clarkston News).
If the opening play from the Clarkston Village Players is any indication of the 2004-2005 season, area audiences are in for a run of talented actors and well-presented theatrical works.
‘The Housekeeper,? by James Prideaux, opened Sept. 9 at Depot Theatre to an almost-full house, complete with an appearance from local Red Hat Society members.
The story focuses on the unusual relationship between Manley Carstairs, played by Brian Taylor, and housekeeper Annie Dankworth, played by Wendy Hedstrom.
After the death of his mother, Manley looks to the assistance of a housekeeper to keep the large estate in working order. He finds what he thinks will be such help from Annie, a scatterbrained individual looking for work. Their opposite personalities slowly reveal greater schemes on the parts of both individuals.
The first thing that jumps out at you is the set, successfully designed by Jamie Fish. While the play is set in the present, the house has an old, Victorian feel to the furniture and knick-knacks found in the home. The old-fashioned living room plays an important in establishing the differences between the two characters.
Hedstrom and Taylor both delivered funny performances on the play’s opening night. Manley and Annie are definitely ‘characters? and require a lot of effort from their creators, which Hedstrom and Taylor put forth.
You can’t help but enjoy the crazy antics of Annie Dankworth, causing Hedstrom to steal the show as the nutty, housekeeping vixen. Whether it’s parading the living room in tennis shoes held together with duct tape or a red sequin evening gown, Hedstrom embraced the personality of Annie right on. One can’t help but feel that she might be the type of guest that lingers at a party a little too long at the end of the night.
Taylor does a thorough job conveying the pompous, fuddy-duddy personality of Manley. Having lived his entire life with his aging mother, Manley longs for female companionship and such desires are carried out well by Taylor.
The bow tie Manley wears throughout the entire play just seems like the type of accessory a mother might make her son wear every day…
The script features a lot of one-on-one conversations with audience members, resulting in a deeper connection with the characters on stage. Both Hedstrom and Taylor seemed at ease with both the characters they were conveying and the audience before them.
What I liked most about the play is how drawn in you become as the story develops. The plot takes a fun twist as the characters reveal their secret motives, making the characters even more likable as the play came to its conclusion and the two must help each other out in the long run.
‘The Housekeeper? is one of two two-act plays that open the CVP season and shouldn’t be missed. If you’re looking for a funny comedy to keep you entertained this September, make sure to pick up your tickets for ‘The Housekeeper.?
Remaining show dates for ‘The Housekeeper? are Sept. 16-18. For more information on how to purchase tickets, call (248) 625-8811.