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Enchanted April
By Matthew Barber
Adapted from the novel by Elizabeth von Armin
Directed by Bob Knuth
At Circle Theatre
7300 W. Madison
Forest Park, IL
Call 708-771-0700, tickets $26
Fridays & Saturdays at 8 pm
Sundays at 2 pm
Running time is 2 hours, 10 minutes with intermission
Through June 8, 2008
"Do you like sunshine and wisteria?" a newspaper ad asks. "Then a castle in Mezzago, Italy, is the place for you." --from Enchanted April
Charming English country house comedy of manners wins us
Matthew Barber’s sweet English comedy, based on Elizabeth von Armin’s 1922 novel, Enchanted April, now in a fine production at Circle Theatre, is a cute adventure into the struggle of four women determined to escape the dreariness of both a rainy April in England and their dreary lives.
The hope that renting a villa in Italy without their husbands can cure her blues propels Lotty Wilton (Patricia Austin) to take the initiative. She recruits Rose Arnott (Darci Nalepa) from her women’s club. The restrained Rose, like Lotty, has a stifling, loveless marriage. Both woman are determined to hid brighter days. Due to financial concerns, the woman recruit two more ladies. Lady Caroline (Michelle Weissgerber), a beautiful but unhappy socialite and the tough Victorian dowager, Mrs. Graves (Mary Redmon) complete the foursome.
From Lotty’s opening monologue, we see the hope that lies in the magical powers of a sunny Italian castle. Lotty sees that all lives will be transformed by the flower-drenched villa. Act one has an austere brown drawing room set that transform into a flowery, bright and uplifting Italian castle. Bob Knuth once again proves that he is a master set designer.
Act two finds the four women enjoying the liberation of living ‘husband-free.’ Mrs. Graves has issues with Constanza (Terri Lopez) the Italian maid. Lady Caroline wants to be alone and Lotty and Rose become stimulated and uplifted by the beauty of the sea-side villa. When Antony Wilding (Michael Gonring), the landlord, arrives, sparks fly as Lotty and Rose discover that they do, indeed, miss their husbands. The redemptive atmosphere of Mezzago influences each lady. We see reconciliations as each woman discovers that life can be filled with bright sunny days.
There is rich humor, surprises and likable characters wonderfully performed in Knuth’s production. From the excellent accents to the fine period costumes (by Suzanne Mann), Circle Theatre’s Enchanted April is beguiling romantic comedy. Patricia Austin’s Lotty and Mary Redmon’s Mrs. Graves were particularly effective. It is nice to see a sweet life affirming show so expertly performed.
Recommended
Tom Williams
Tom99@chicagocritic.com for comments
Talk Theatre in Chicago podcast
Date Reviewed: May 4, 2008
Jeff Recommended
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