Review: THE EXPLORERS CLUB Unearths Hilarity

From the moment you walk into Theatre Downtown, you realize you are in for something special. The opulent set is so full of treasures that I spent the entire twenty minutes I was there before the play doing a little exploring myself, searching the stage with my eyes, constantly making new and interesting discoveries. Antiques, plants, animals and souvenirs of past expeditions fill the space, which is well decorated and meticulously finished.

THE EXPLORERS CLUB at Theatre Downtown is an Alabama premiere that takes you away from the ordinary and whisks you to 1879 London. Set in the bar and meeting room of this all male club, you quickly forget the world you live in and are transported away.

In the midst of all of this masculinity, Phyllida Spotte-Hume played by Carron Clem, steps in as a breath of fresh air. Sweetly feminine with the perfect dash of daring adventure, Spotte -Hume is also an explorer who has made a great discovery. Brought to the club as a speaker and prospective member by Lucius Fretway, played here by Jonathan Sweatt, Clem does a good job of walking the line between a demure woman of that era and a fearless scientist, sure of her abilities and latest discovery. I thoroughly enjoyed both of her characters during the evening- a little tease as to what happens later in the show.

Josh Roberts as Harry Percy, is the cad who wants to woo Ms. Spotte-Hume and yet one of the staunchest opponents to her membership. His competition for her heart is Fretway. Percy and Fretway are the perfect competitors in their noticeable difference in size, self-assuredness and scientific specialty.

Bates Redwine as religious nut, uh, I mean expert Professor Sloan, is her biggest obstacle to becoming a member. Some of the funniest digs in the show are delivered in a proper British dialect by Redwine, who does an admirable job of keeping his strict demeanor throughout.

Professor Cope and Professor Walling, played respectively by Chuck Evans and Rich Mansfield, are another fun duo who are best friends, although their individual specialties would seem to preclude that. When faced with a crisis brought about because of this difference, they are even more hilarious together.

I have to give special recognition to Chance Novalis as Luigi, the "blue" native brought back from a newly discovered land by Ms. Spotte-Hume. He is funny at every turn, but when put behind the bar in order to hide in plain sight, he steals the show as he learns to make and serve drinks. Innocent and ferocious at the same time, Novalis is one to watch.

Directed by Mel Christian, THE EXPLORERS CLUB is funny, interesting, and an all-around good time. I really can find absolutely no flaw in this production. The set, the costumes, the casting, the dialects, and the sound cues were all first rate. During a scene where a crowd gathers outside of the window, you would swear that there are dozens of actors on the other side of the wall.

Like so many of the smaller theatres in the area, Theatre Downtown continues to grow and mature into a true jewel in the crown of the Birmingham Theatre community. I would highly recommend seeing THE EXPLORERS CLUB between now and June 25. Go to www.theatredowntown.org or call 205-565-8838 for exact times and ticket information.

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