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"Bathroom Humour"
Nov 17, 18, 19 2011
St. Barnabas Church (basement hall), Deep River
written by Billy van Zandt and Jane Milmore
directed by Kristen Glowa
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Review in The North Renfrew Times, November 30, 2011
by Argus
First things first.
When you plunik down $18 for a ticket to a licensed show titled "Bathroom Humour" there are really only two questions on your mind. Is it funny? And will I have a good time?
By all accounts, the Deep River Players' production of Billy van Zandt and Jane Milmore's play "Bathroom Humour", November 17 to 19 at St. Barnabas Church, was more than a success on both scores.
Near to sold-out audiences every night enjoyed an evening out at a great local show and went home with the smiles etched on their faces.
There was plenty to smile about from a "local theatre" point of view as well.
Ian Graham, for example.
The premise for "Bathroom Humour" is that a party is taking place at the home of "Russ and Lucille" (never seen), and the action of the play takes place entirely in their bathroom as the characters makes their way through, one at a time or in various combinations.
Graham threw himself with glee and abandon, sometimes literally, into the role of "Stu", the drunken and debauched office lech, who never met a pill he wouldn't try more than once.
Graham's physical comedy and comic timing lit up the stage whenever he was on.
Hilary Angell was a delight as "Peg", the lonely butt of the other women's scorn. In her first on-stage role for the Players, Angell's portrayal of Peg's struggels - first to fit in with the other women, then to fit into her jeans (more excellent physical comedy), and finally to overcome her own shyness to win the attention of "the Big El" - was spot-on throughout.
Kyra Merrill made a welcome return to the local stage in her first role since 2006 as "Laura", wife of the office boss. Merrill was note-perfect from the dialogue of the opening catty gossip, to her rage, disbelief and desperatin at the betrayal of her lover, to her final drunken breakdown as she is dragged off home at the end of the nkght.
Marko Pilic was excellent once again in hi srole as Laura's husband, "Arthur". Pilic, whose first role on stage was in the Players' "Leading Ladies" last March, got to explore his nerdy side as Arthur, the uptight executive who transforms into the almost-macho man under the attnetions of the office nymphette. His full-body quiver in teh second half was a thing of beauty.
Rounding out the major roles were Players veterans Phyllis Heeney as the nymphette "Babette", Kyle Wilkes as Laura's sleazy lover "Sandy", and Jeremy Whitlock as Elvis-impersonator, the "Big El".
All were solid, as to be expected, with Whitlock, a natural showman, bringing down the house (almost literally) with his performance of "Burning Love".
The cast also featured John Fleurie, who provided comic interuption as the "desperate to use the toilet but never quite get there" Uncle John.
All in all, director Kriten Glowa and assistant director Daria Turner are to be commended for getting the most out of all their cast.
A fun show, enthusistic performers, lots of laughs... In the classic words, a good time was had by all, and really, what more can you ask for than that?
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