|
Dangerous Corner Presented by Vancouver Playhouse Company Where: The Vancouver Playhouse, Dunsmuir Street & Hamilton Street, Vancouver When: May 1-22, 2010 |
|
|
Dangerous Corner was written by John Boynton Priestley (a British Playwright) and became an instant hit when it was first performed in 1932. Since then, it has become a 1934 black-and-white film and has been performed repeatedly with wild success thereafter. Focusing his skills on melodramas, J.B. Priestley enjoyed posing questionable theories within his scripts. Dangerous Corner reveals that illusions may be shattered by a simple remark causing an entire night, as well as the dynamics of those involved, to go awry. Thus Priestley’s question: Is telling the truth always a good thing; or will it obliterate the security of those living their lives by illusions? |
|
|
It all takes place in the Drawing Room of host and hostess, Robert (Vincent Gale) and Freda Caplan (Jennifer Clement). While the men chat in the other room, the women listen to a dramatic BBC radio story concluding with the character’s suicide. Coincidentally, their enthralling entertainment is soon played out among themselves, as the events of the evening turn sour. After the three husbands enter the room, typical chit-chat is shared until a suspicious comment is made by Olwen Peel (Anna Galvin) about a musical cigarette box. Remarking to have seen the cigarette box before, Freda presses that she couldn’t have seen it because it was “sent” to the cabin by a date later than Olwen’s last visit. Beginning as innocent fun, the group tries to discover the mysterious blanks in the girls’ vague explanations regarding the time of the visit and the delivery of the box. Suddenly the quest for answers reverts to the grave night of Robert’s brother, Martin’s, apparent suicide, which took place at that very cabin 18 months ago. While each character reveals bits of knowledge that wasn’t evident during the investigation, we learn the guilty secrets and intertwining love affairs of everyone in company. The play escalates to rage, maddening confusion, and desperate confessions until Robert (the one person living blindly within his illusions) finds himself helplessly shaken by reality. To conclude the point of the story, the scene returns to the peaceful beginning, before the comment and before the rage, and we watched an identical dialogue retract the cigarette box comment (avoiding that corner so dangerous) as the characters danced the night away. This play is downright outstanding. It takes us around the corner of telling the truth and lying, which I now agree is a dangerous place to be given the circumstances of this play! This production, presented by The Vancouver Playhouse Theatre Company, added it’s own hilarious beginning of a stage crewmember dashing onstage to light the ladies’ cigarettes. Bill Dow (Director) entertained a 2010 audience with an enticing performance of the 1930’s play. British dialect was mastered even on the brink of insanity. Dow’s direction of character placement as well as development made it easy to follow along as you’re instantly acquainted with seven characters onstage. The timely effects of comments and even intermission, kept you laughing and sitting on the edge of your seat the entire play! |
|
|
All actors are brilliantly talented and a joy to watch. From Anna Galvin’s (Olwen) inverted mannerisms to Vincent Gale’s (Robert) daringly shocking rage, I was completely blown away by the cast’s fit to each character. My personal favourite was Tom Scholte’s portrayal of Charles Stanton. Reacting to the group’s inequity with sarcasm and wit, he brought humour to the most intense moments. Crying is never a pretty thing and thus a difficult task to master for any actor, however Jennifer Clement (Freda) was very much believable as her contorted face revealed her secret life of anguish. Anastasia Phillips (Betty) equally displayed an impressive devastation regarding her own secrets kept from her husband, Gordon, played by Charlie Gallant. Gallant also served a great performance as his character’s mood swings get the best of him. The reason is obvious as to why Dangerous Corner has been a hit since 1932 and that is simply because it’s a great and timeless play. It has a message that can never be out-dated as it remains evident in the lives of audience members throughout decades; The question of which is better: telling the truth or lying, will always be a controversy. Vancouver Playhouse holds a fascinating performance so go see it before it’s gone! You will surely be reminiscing about it well into your week! |
|
