Review: 'An Italian Straw Hat'

 An Italian Straw Hat is one of the most accomplished and satisfying examples of the French imbroglio, in which a character is in search of something, only to find it moments before the curtain falls. This classic French farce was written by Eugene Labishe in  1851 and has inspired numerous stage revivals, a famous silent film and more recently a ballet. 

All of these incarnations share the basic premise: our hero, Fadinard, is about to be married when his horse devours a lady's rare Italian Style straw hat. The lady demands it be replaced and this sets off a quest that soon attracts a crowd of followers. 

The production on view at Fairview Library Theatre is crisply directed by L.Garth Allen to maximize the inherent humour. This translation favours low comedy emphasized by a hysterical drag turn by E. Karek as the Baroness De Champigny. The audience was convulsed by the mere appearance of the Amazon-like baroness. It gave the longish first half a decided lift and sent the audience out for intermission anxious to return and see the denouement. 

Judy Gans in the trouser role of the brides devote cousin adds to the merriment as does Will van der Zyl's frantic performance as Fadinard.

As was popular at the time this play was first performed, there are a number of short songs inserted as small comments on the action. Unlike modern musicals where the songs further the action or develop the characters, these short ditties provide brief respites allowing the audience to savour the moment.  The fact that none of the cast possesses really fine voices matters not at all. In fact the atrocious harmonies only add to the madness of the scenes.

The songs are performed to a pre-recorded track, which at times seems excessively loud and frequently overpowers the voices. But if the sound is sometimes problematic, the lighting is spot on. Not only that, the set pieces on castors is easily rolled around the stage to create each of the five locales where the action unfolds.

Add to this the garish costumes and you have a wonderful stage cartoon that unfolds at the pace of one of Mack Sennett's keystone comedies.

The French have traditionally rejected musical theatre pieces, preferring instead the opera-buffe style created by Jacques Offenbach. It is that style that dominates An Italian Straw Hat making it into a most appealing little trifle.

Stage Centre Productions present An Italian Straw Hat at Fairview Library Theatre, 35 Fairview Mall Drive, until May 17. Performances are Wednesday thru Saturday at 8 PM with 2 PM matinee on Sunday May 11. Tickets are $25 and available at www.stagecentreproductions.com or by calling (416) 324-1259.

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