By Charlotte K. Jarmy
Theater review
Today’s audiences are fairly sophisticated about men in drag, but “Charley’s Aunt,” a 19th-century farce, reaches modern audiences through its antic physical comedy and, in TheatreWorks’ production, a great cast.
Some might say it is a “guy thing” after seeing three young upper-class college men contrive a plot to see their loved ones without the annoyance of a disapproving chaperone. What makes the play into a farce is the absence of Charley’s aunt as chaperone, and the lengths Jack (Mark Phillips) and Charley (Jonathan Rhuys Williams) go to force their friend Lord Fancourt Babberley (Michael David Edwards) into assuming the role of Donna Lucia d’Alvaddorez, whom Charley has never met.
Mistaken identities, exaggerated characterizations and the emphasis on how the characters behave all add up to classic farce and comedy of manners. Phillips, as Jack, presents himself as a young dandy, all affected speech and gestures, whose self analysis is “nervous and naggy and nonplussed.” Phillips plays him so well as foppish and too, too mannered. Williams doesn’t have an opportunity to build his role beyond the chaotic physical dashing around that continues throughout the play.
It is Edwards as the beautifully acted aunt, all gawky anguish in his fluffy black gown, bonnet and long swinging gray curls, who captures not only the applause of the audience, but the adoration of the two young ladies pursued by Jack and Charley. His very name, Lord Babberley, fits the romantic comedy, and his mournful acceptance of his female role when he admits, “I’m getting so fond of poetry” makes him endearing and very funny. The physical comedy goes beyond the playwright’s words as the young men bash “Babbs” around to correct his slips into masculine comments.
The appearances of Jack’s dad (Anthony Newfield), the former colonel, and in Act 2, the genuine Donna Lucia d’Alvadorez (Louise Chegwidden) make coincidence another element of classic farce, for now we have the third set of potential lovers. Two other actors feed the chaos and confusion: Steven Pawley as Jack’s man servant Brassett and Gary S. Martinez as Stephen Spettigue, the adored Amy’s uncle. Both actors make their mark in secondary roles that attract loud laughter and applause.
Need I say that this play comes across as a man’s show? The young ladies, Carie Yonekawa, Joy Jacobson and Annie Abrams, act as lovely foils for the males’ dilemmas. It is the men, however, who are broadly satirized by playwright Brandon Thomas.
Director Jules Aaron’s love of “Charley’s Aunt” is apparent in the detailed attention to the actors’ frantic pace and the funny similarity between Jack and his father. However, although he said he did some cutting, he could have done more. The wild disguises and broad comedy become predictable and wearying as the plot chugs on.
Sets by Tom Langguth, gorgeous costumes by Ardith Ann Gray, and lighting by Christopher Guptill are standouts and deserve the credit they bring to the production.
“Charley’s Aunt” runs through Dec. 30 at the Lucie Stern Theatre in Palo Alto. For tickets, call 903-6000 or visit www.theatreworks.org.
