Sunday, August 24, 2014

"THINGS WE DO FOR LOVE" CAN BE COMPLICATED AND COMIC






A random act of kindness for a dear friend can translate quickly into the old axiom "no good deed goes unpunished."  Thanks to the cleverly devious machinations of prolific British playwright Alan Ayckbourn, you will want to witness Westport Country Playhouse's excellently hysterical production of "Things We Do For Love" igniting peals of laughter until Sunday, September 7.

When a cynical and undemonstrative Barbara, who was nicknamed "Spike" in her school days, is reunited with Nikki after years of separation, the bonds are quickly cemented.  Nikki, who has had a string of disasters in the love department, has finally latched on to a winner, a bearded Scottish vegetarian named Hamish and they need a temporary place to stay while their new home is finished.

Barbara, who feels love is a crock, is willing to rent the upper floor of her well appointed flat in recognition of friendship as she already
has a tenant, Gilbert, a handy man/postman living in the basement.  Hamish is everything Barbara despices and their mutual dislike is instantanteous and absolute.  Yet Barbara is willing to disturb her well organized life momentarily for the sake of Nikki, a woman she pities for her neediness for male companionship.

A unique tri-level set, designed by James Noone, gives ample views of the action above and below Barbara's singular space.
In this intriguing romantic "square," Nikki and Hamish's relationship is quickly tested as a fascination with Barbara attacks both Hamish and Gilbert, leading to comic and violent complications.  The cast is uniformally terrific with Geneva Carr as Barbara, Sarah Manton as Nikki, Matthew Greer as Hamish and Michael Mastro as Gilbert, under the fine direction of John Tillinger.

For tickets ($30 and up), call the Westport Country Playhouse, 25 Powers Court, off route 1, Westport at 203-227-4177 or 888-927-7529. Performances are Tuesday at 8 p.m., Wednesday at 2 p.m. and 8 p.m., Thursday and Friday at 8 p.m., Saturday at 3 p.m. and 8 p.m. and Sunday at 3 p.m.

Come discover how scissors, scrapbooks, sherry, footless socks, single unit plumbing, secrets and Scottish heritage invade Barbara's solitary and sheltered life and turn it effectively inside out and upside down.

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