CAC Mounts Visually Impressive 'Every Trick in the Book'

Classical Acting Company's Every Trick in the Book, a farce by the renowned French dramatist Georges Feydeau (A Flea in Her Ear), gives the audience an opportunity to witness the origin of some of their favorite vaudeville and situation comedy routines.  On display on stage of the Arts Center Theatre there is slapstick, mistaken identity, and comic asides.

Every Trick in the Book is one of Feydeau's more obscure works.  The Co-Artistic Directors of Classical Acting Company, Emily Gray and Matthew Gray, found a translation of the work by an American, Langdon Brown.  The Grays were enamored with this translation because although it retained the French flavor of the original, the words were spoken in an American rhythm and the language seemed less stilted than in translations by British authors.  Mr. Brown's translation was mounted on the New York stage in the early 1980s.  Every Trick in the Book concerns a married man who is having an affair.  His wife catches him in his duplicity and wins him back on her own terms by playing his game.

As Angele, the wronged wife, Emily Gray is exquisite.  The overexaggerated facial expressions and sweeping gestures of farce are all there.  Miss Gray also has the witty aside down pat.  Although the supporting cast did fine work as well, the honors of the evening go to Matt Lyle as the horseman Gusman.  Seen briefly in the first two acts, Mr. Lyle blossomed as his character took center stage in the third.  He wringed the last laugh out all of his lines, and his physical gymnastics were incredible!  Only Mr. Lyle could turn the mere act of opening a door and closing it into a show-stopping gag.  It should also be noted that he created all of his own stunts.

Jennifer Owen's set was marvelous.  Beautifully crafted down to each intricate detail, it was the perfect witty backdrop for the antics happening on stage.  Aaron Patrick Turner's costumes were also a delight.  Mr. Turner did more than just design attractive costumes.  His costumes were an integral part of the play, especially the looser and more colorful costumes he designed for the Third Act, which was comprised mainly of slapstick.  The sound effects by Matthew Gray were the perfect compliment to the evening.

As Director, Regan Adair did a masterful job.  Although the performers in Every Trick in the Book were directed to follow the dictates of farce and play in outlandish fashion, he also made sure that the characters were real and believable and never became two-dimensional stereotypes.  Mr. Adair understands that true humor cannot develop if such degeneration occurs.

Every Trick in the Book is full of outrageous laughs and situations.  It is an excellent opportunity to see a rarely performed work by Feydeau, the Master of Farce.

Every Trick in the Book will run through December 10.  For more information, please visit Classical Acting Company's website.

Photo Credit:  Paul Gray 

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