Review: Victorian Charmer ENGAGED Right at Home at Royal George Theatre

The Shaw Festival has unearthed a bit of a gem, that in lesser hands may be considered no more than a cubic zirconium. W.S. Gilbert's ENGAGED is a frothy trifle that seems perfect for a midsummer's night. This delightful piece of Victoriana theatre can best be thought of as a play with a thin operetta plot (sans music). Gilbert is is best known as the librettist of that famous duo Gilbert and Sullivan but he did work alone at times and his theatrical pieces are all but forgotten. In ENGAGED Gilbert again shows his adeptness at social commentary regarding marriage and the quest for wealth.

ENGAGED tells the story of a flamboyant playboy, Cheviot Hill, who falls in love at the drop of a hat and whose engagement to more than one woman at a time causes much consternation. Set in a small town on the border of England and Scotland ( an important plot detail), we meet a bevy of characters drawn with large brushstrokes, who all intersect the path of Cheviot, hilariously played by Gray Powell. Mr. Powell managed to imbue his topsy turvy character with comic flare, overstated operatic gestures and genuine earnestness. His eventual marriage could cause financial gains for some, but his remaining single could cause other parties to remain rich. Thus we have a typical Gilbert paradox.

The Scottish farm trio of Mary Haney, Julia Course and Martin Happer are true caricatures of country bumpkins, speaking in a thick brogue, that often was lost on the audience. Due to a railroad mishap, some English socialites are forced to seek refuge in their village. Later when the action is moved to the more stately setting of London drawing room, the trios recurring entrances proved to be right out of a Three Stooges movie.

Diana Donnelly, as Minnie Symperson, was perfect as the billowy English bride to be, while Nicole Underhay drew many laughs as the jilted Belinda Treherne. Both women have the desire for marriage, as long as wealth comes with it. The lush and silly costumes by Charlotte Dean added to the light heartedness of the plot, and captured that classic music hall period. Ms. Donnelly used the overly long train of her bridal gown to great comic effect. Meanwhile Jeff Meadows was the slightly villainous Belvawney, complete with a magical gaze that near paralyzed Cheviot. His tall thin stature proved a nice foil to that of Mr. Powell.

Director Morris Panych, along with set designer Ken MacDonald have chosen some psychedelic sixties motifs to further brighten the absurd plot. Giant thorny thistles dot the Scottish landscape while enormous roses adorn the London scene. In the jewel box setting of The Royal George Theatre, Panych effectively transported us back to a much different theatrical era, where Gilbert's farcical story perfectly fits in it's surroundings.

Gilbert's use of recurring jokes along with some bawdy music hall interludes allowed 21st Century audiences a rare glimpse into the 19th Century theatrical devices, proving that the Shaw Festival can work wonders with plays that might otherwise be thought of as passé. All the final scene needed was a rousing chorus number with waving British flags and it's happy ending would have been perfect for the stage of D'Oyly Carte.

ENGAGED plays at the Shaw Festival's Royal George Theatre through October 30, 2016. Visit shawfest.com for more information.

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