BWW Reviews: Wild, Bawdy and Ferociously Playful British Farce WHAT THE BUTLER SAW will Have You Shaking with Laughter

In theatre, a farce is a comedy that aims at entertaining the audience through situations that are highly exaggerated, extravagant, and thus improbable.Farces are often highly incomprehensible plot-wise (due to the large number of plot twists and random events that often occur), but viewers are encouraged not to try to follow the plot in order to avoid becoming confused and overwhelmed. Farce is also characterized by physical humor, the use of deliberate absurdity or nonsense, and broadly stylized performances. Furthermore, a farce is also often set in one particular location, where all events occur.

That definition describes WHAT THE BUTLER SAW to a tee. Psychiatry, religion, marriage, government, definitions of gender and even language are all targets of British playwright Joe Orton's poison pen. His sly jokes and hilarious slashes at the follies and foibles of human conduct will have you shaking with laughter from start to finish.

Now playing at the Morgan-Wixson Theatre in Santa Monica through May 26, the show is directed with a skillful hand by Ben Lupejkis who keeps the show moving at a lightening fast pace. His brilliant cast features Philip Apoian, Harold Dershimer, Drew Fitzsimmons, Emily McLeod, Maria Pavone and Frank Weidner, each able to handle the physical demanding roles and over-the-top characters with wit and charm.

Wild, bawdy and ferociously playful, Orton's outrageous farce begins as sexually frustrated Dr. Prentice (Philip Apoian), a psychiatric doctor in an exclusive, private psychiatric clinic, is attempting to interview (and seduce) an attractive would-be secretary, Geraldine (the lovely Emily McLeod). Unwittingly surprised by his wife, he hides Geraldine wearing only her skivvies or even less.

Dr. Prentice's botched efforts lead to comic bedlam involving his insatiable wife (dressed to impress wildcat Maria Pavone), a randy bellhop (master of silly pantomime, Frank Weidner), a befuddled Cockney police officer (finger wielding Drew Fitzsimmons, who hilariously milks every word for its sexual innuendo, even when discussing Sir Winston Churchill), and Dr. Rance, a government inspector checking out the clinic who would be better served as a patient himself (handkerchief wielding, rubber-faced character artist Harold Dershimer). Will Dr. Rance collect enough knowledge of scandalous goings on at the clinic to write a best-seller? Need you ask?

Entrances and exits abound as the action proceeds to get more ridiculous and unbelievable as the doctors manage to get everyone dressed down to their underwear. It is a convention of English comedies of time period that attractive characters spend a good deal of time in their underwear or lingerie. Kudos to costume designer Patricia Butler for creating four unique and character-driven undergarment ensembles, each more outrageous and entertaining than the last.

Lupejkis is to be commended for grabbing the attention of the audience and never letting them go. I found myself not able to take any notes as I did not want to look down while writing and miss a moment or clue as to what was going on or who was where or hiding from whom. And I finally gave up trying to figure out who was going to come in dressed in which other character's clothes (especially the pink high heels), and just gave in to laughing at the outrageous surprises and thoroughly enjoyable wackiness. I guarantee you will do the same thing!

This play contains adult subject matter played for laughs and is not recommended for children.

WHAT THE BUTLER SAW By Joe Orton, May 4 - May 26, 2013, Fri/Sat 8pm, Sun 2pm at the Morqan-Wixson Theatre, 2627 Pico Blvd., Santa Monica 90405
Directed by Ben Lupejkis
Produced by BRIAN RAINE & TOM LASKEY

Tickets $20, $18 for seniors and students, Reservations (310) 828-7519. Online ticketing at www.morgan-wixson.org

Photos by Joel Castro, unless otherwise noted

Philip Apoian, Maria Pavone Photo by Marc Ostroff

Dr. Prentice (Philip Apoian) hides Geraldine Barclay (Emily McLeod)

Dr. Prentice (Philip Apoian) and Dr. Rance (Harold Dershimer) prepare Geraldine Barclay (Emily McLeod) for her psychiatric evaluation.

Frank Weidner

Drew Fitzsimmons

Drew Fitzsimmons and Emily McLeod

Emily McLeod and Harold Dershimer

Philip Apoian, Emily McLeod, Harold Dershimer