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THE WISDOM OF EVE by Mary Orr
Presented by Malvern Theatre Company
Directed by Barbara Bateman
Reviewed (November 21) by K.E. Weber
Cast: Kim Hilton, Vicki Smith, Donna Cohen, David Perkins, Rob Constable, Rod McGregor, Matthew Kiely, Marj Howden, Adele Granger, Brian McCallum.
Adapted from the story by Mary Orr on which the film All About Eve and the musical Applause were based. The story concerns itself with life in New York's theatre world in the 1950's and is told in terms of an unscrupulous ingenue's rise to Broadway stardom.
When we first meet Eve Harrington she is standing in the rain by the stage door of the theatre in which the renowned Margo Crane is starring in her latest long-run hit. Waiting for a glimpse of her professed idol she accosts Karen Roberts, Margo's good friend and the wife of the playwright, Lloyd Roberts, and inveigles an invitation to meet the great actress herself. The meeting leads to unexpected opportunity as Margo, struck with Eve's sincerity, takes her on as a personal secretary. Before long Eve has done such a fine job of straightening out the clutter of Margo's affairs that Margo, while she had always jealously resisted the engagement of an understudy for her own role, allows Eve to have the assignment. Then Eve begins to move ahead in earnest, her true character emerging as she lies cheats and blackmails her way to Broadway stardom - and then a Hollywood career - leaving the wreckage of her friends' trust behind her.
Malvern presented a highly effective split set in accommodating the various performance spaces the play demanded. The dressing room of a New York theatre resided stage right with the Roberts' New York apartment occupying stage left. Other performance areas included the garden at the Roberts' country house, the theatre's stage door, and a TV studio - all cleverly suggested with nothing more than props and simple fixtures. Furnishings were thoroughly appropriate and not without, I think, some time and effort being devoted to the question of their suitability. Pleasingly, hair styles were not forgotten and costumes too were apt with Margo's constant resplendence reflecting the effectiveness of Malvern's wardrobe.
Barbara Bateman's need to remain true to the text was obvious and lead her actors accordingly. For the most part overplaying - often prevalent in this style of work- served dramatic moments well, however there were times when it was not controlled enough, and Karen's crying fits spring to mind here. This was an exception to the norm, however, because Donna Cohen (Karen Roberts) was effective and strong throughout. (Karen's drunk scene with Margo being particularly memorable). Monologues (some of the story is revealed through a course of these) were sound (yes, even the last one!), accent was consistent and voice was well-modulated.
Vicki Smith, too, was strong as the sometimes vitriolic Broadway actress Margo Crane. A full-bodied character was delivered with voice, movement and accent all working well. The decision to pair Rob Constable with Vicki Smith was a good one. Both are talented actors who not only reveled in their roles but brought a remarkable energy to their work - duologues particularly. Clement was suitably clever, intuitive and self-reliant - the perfect match for Margo Crane! David Perkins captured the insecurity and vulnerability of Lloyd Roberts very effectively, his final humiliation (being romantically hoodwinked by Eve) was pathetic but nonetheless worthy of compassion.
Although Kim Hamilton was generally sound as the ambitious and deceitful Eve Harrington, a strange stammer was evident early on and accent was not always consistent - more work with the letters a and r may have been helpful. Matthew Kiely presented a very pleasant and natural Harvey with good support being given by Rod McGregor ("Tally Ho" Thompson), Marj Howden (Leila), Adele Granger (Vera) and Brian McCallum (Bert).
In summary, Malvern presented a production that was tight and generally well-structured. The play, although somewhat long-winded by today's standards, contained enough drama and human interest to keep it living.
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