THE CRITIC & THE REAL INSPECTOR HOUND at Shakespeare Theatre Company - You Will Be in Stitches

When I first noticed the Shakespeare Theatre Company would be doing the two one-act plays THE CRITIC & THE REAL INSPECTOR HOUSE, I had some trepidation on how would I start this review of THE CRITIC.

Well, today on my way to work on the subway reading the mammoth book "Hamilton" by Ron Chernow and the basis for Lin-Manuel Miranda's hit musical of the same name, I just could not believe what I was reading. Soon after Alexander Hamilton became Secretary of the Treasury and the Capital was located in New York City, his wife Eliza came to visit from upstate New York and according to Chernow "...had the thrilling experience of going with George and Martha Washington to the John Street Theater to see Richard Brinsley Sheridan's THE CRITIC". (p.292). Ah...the luck of a critic!!

This is a Co-Production with the Guthrie Theatre in Minneapolis where it will begin in late February. According to Kahn, "Four of the actors are from Minneapolis and four from Washington.

Sheridan's THE CRITIC was written in 1779 and Tom Stoppard's THE REAL INSPECTOR HOUND was written in 1968, two comedies written 189 years apart. Both plays are set in a theater and both are just plain hilarious, theater of the absurd comes to mind. Both deal with critics. Stoppard was actually one.

Also a former critic is Jeffrey Hatcher who is responsible for a terrific adaptation of THE CRITIC. According to Hatcher, "I liked giving my opinion."

THE CRITIC is about bad theater, bad playwrights, and ...critics. And is it fun.

The ensemble of actors who have gathered for these two plays are just what any theatergoer desires. That is they are hysterical.

When the red curtain opens for THE CRITIC, Mr. Dangle (John Ahlin) is looking through newspapers trying to find the important news...that is of the theater. He certainly isn't interested in the revolution going on across the pond. Naomi Jacobsen plays his wife who just does not understand. They are terrific together. Then a visitor appears, Mr. Sneer (Robert Dorfman), another critic. (Dorfman I recall reverently from his many appearances at Baltimore's Center Stage. I'll never forget his roles in the 1994 LOMAN FAMILY PICNIC and 2001 PAJAMA GAME).

Then we meet Mr. Puff (the masterful Robert Stanton) and before you know it, Puff has both Dangle and Sneer watching a rehearsal of his new play THE SPANISH ARMADA at the Drury Lane Theater where it is hinted playwright Sheridan is lurking in the back. There are outstanding performances by John Catron, Charity Jones, Hugh Nees, and Sandra Struthers. The audience was in hysterics watching this abominable play and its author rewriting it as it happened. I will never forget the dual Nees has with himself.

THE REAL INSPECTOR HOUND is a murder mystery with also hints of theater of the absurd. There is a body on the floor in Muldoon Manor. Why does nobody see it? There are two critics Moon (Stanton) and Birdboot (Ahlin) alone in their seats watching this play within a play. You'll be reminded of the film "Forrest Gump" as Birdboot devours bits of chocolate.

Jacobson plays the "typical" English maid who when she answers the telephone, also describes the scene.

Whenever the radio is turned on, there is a report of a murderer loose in the area of Muldoon Manor.

I promise not to reveal anything more except to say the two critics don't stay in their seats.

Jones plays the wife of the missing husband, Struthers looks gorgeous , Nees is in a wheel chair, Dorfman plays the Inspector Hound looking like Sherlock Holmes but acting like Inspector Clouseau, Catron may be the murderer, Brit Herring is the voice on the radio.

It is a romp to remember.

Special kudos to C

ostume Designer Murell Horton, Set Designer James Noone (wait till you see the battle scene in the SPANISH ARMADA), and brilliant lighting by Mary Keegan.

Head to the Shakespeare Theatre Company and be prepared to laugh.

The program is filled with great information by Drew Lichtenberg (Literary Manager/Dramaturg), Jeffrey Hatcher, Tom Stoppard, and Robert Brustein.

The double-bill runs until Feb. 14, 2016 at the Lansburgh Theatre. For tickets, call 202-547-1122 or visit www.shakespearetheatre.org.

If it's good enough for Alexander Hamilton and George Washington, it's good enough for you!

cgshubow@broadwayworld.com