Kris Weber's World of Theatre

STRAIGHT AND NARROW by Jimmie Chinn
Presented by Mitcham Repertory Group
Directed by Muriel Kempster
Reviewed (June 21) by K.E. Weber
Cast : Nick Walter, Travis Clark, Mandy Purdon, Barbara Doogan, Sylvia Osborne, David Bradley, Richard Farnsworth.

This is a play about relationships centering mainly around Bob, (Nick Walter) his partner Jeff (Travis Clark) and their somewhat rocky one. Throw in Bob's mother Vera, ( Sylvia Osborne) who is oblivious of her son's homosexuality, and sisters Nona, (Mandy Purdon) who has recently separated from husband Arthur, (Richard Farnsworth) and Lois, (Barbara Doogan) who is pregnant again but at least still married to Bill, (David Bradley) and you have a family who, in American parlance, should be in therapy. It is also a play about lies (in all their guises) and we know this because Bob tells us so.

In his opening speech Bob, as the narrator, prepares the play's groundwork. With something akin to a stand-up comic routine we are introduced to the other characters, (who are safely ensconced in the action) and given the time the action is taking place. To add spice, we are very quickly made to understand that some calamity is brewing. During the course of the play Bob, as the narrator, is allowed moments of stepping out of the action, although, to further the story, he must necessarily step back in. A similar style of story telling has been successfully used many times in plays and films (see Ferris Bueller's Day Off.) but I have to question its success here.

In this play, Jimmie Chinn does not use the more traditional method of scenes to depict the change of action (or time) as it moves from before, after and, I suspect, during Bob and Jeff's holiday to Malta. The narrator sets the scenes instead, and while I didn't have a problem with this, I did find myself wondering why props remained and costume changes were affected by some and not others. I suspect time, and hence the play, was the culprit here and not the production. Rohan Fotheringham's subtle lighting design did much to alleviate any confusion between the ‘time' of the narrator and the ‘time' of the action.

The set was streamline but effective. It was appropriately modern with some tasteful furnishings. Overall, accents were consistent (the play is set in Manchester) with the right inflections being employed. Good and varied use was made of the acting space, although I felt that the move from the sofa to the seat down left need not have been made quite so much. The production had lots of energy and a good tempo. Important yes, but actors must be prepared to vary that tempo according to laughs. That did not always happen, consequently lines were lost.

Nick Walter gave a steady performance as the pleasant and naive Bob who believes Jeff has strayed while on a day trip to the Maltese island of Gozo. The fight scenes between them were particularly convincing as both actors lead and yielded well. Nick seemed to revel in the conversational and comic role of Bob the narrator, and while his stepping back into the action was generally well executed, there were times when he didn't seem quite as natural or comfortable. Travis Clark, on the other hand, seemed very comfortable and connected to his character throughout. There were times when he needed to slow his speeches down but on the whole a strong performance.

Mandy Purdon worked really hard as the highly-strung and emotional Nona. She captured the effusive nature of the character very well, but unfortunately strayed into unconvincing caricature on occasion. (especially during the scenes with Arthur after his return) Sadly, Richard Farnsworth's Arthur had a similar fate. Barbara Doogan gave a measured performance as Lois, but I felt a greater firmness was needed during the scenes in which she takes control. David Bradley, while quite personable, looked somewhat uncomfortable throughout.- I can only say that experience should cure this! Sylvia Osborne, complete with indignant sniffing, was very enjoyable as Bob's judgmental and annoying mum. She successfully added the human element to a character that may otherwise have been a simple parody.

Overall, it was a good production that was professionally presented. An enjoyable diversion on a cold and bleak Sunday afternoon.