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Noir Suspicions
Written by David Landau
Directed by Wendy Wright
Apr.30, May 1, 7 & 8, 2010
Chalk River Legion
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(the sequel to “Murder at Café Noir”)
- Murder Mystery Dinner Theatre -
The List of Suspects...
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Richard Archer
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(a.k.a. Kyle Wilkes)
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Sheila Wonderly
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(a.k.a. Julie Filion)
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Anthony Cairo
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(a.k.a. Greg Geisler)
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Dep. Insp. Rigfield
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(a.k.a. Jeremy Whitlock)
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Ingrid Laszlo
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(a.k.a. Karen Shewchuk)
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Sidney Ferrari
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(a.k.a. Ike Dimayuga)
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Claudette Ponte
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(a.k.a. Phyllis Heeney)
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Judge Koch
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(a.k.a. Phyllis Heeney)
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Renault
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(a.k.a. Jeremy Whitlock)
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Program from the show
Photos from the show
Review in the North Renfrew Times (Wednesday, May 5, 2010):
Players serve up colourful "Noir"
by Argus
Although "Noir Suspicions" is a sequel to "Murder at the Café Noir," it can quite easily stand on its own and can be enjoyed without having seen the original.
It was written by David Landau in 1992 to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the release of the movie Casablanca. And the Deep River Players put on a fantastic celebration indeed.
In the opening boozy, bluesy number sung by Rick and Sheila with accompaniment by the rest of the cast, we are told who we are, where we are, and why we are there.
Ex-private eye Rick Archer, played by Kyle Wilkes, and ex-call girl Sheila Wonderly, played by Julie Filion, are the co-owners of Café Noir; and Café Noir is where the action takes place.
And the audience not only watches the action, they become involved in it by helping Private Dick Rick decide how to best handle a murder investigation.
Rick and Sheila and the rest of the cast very effectively transport us into a 1940's bar with 1940's décor and 1940's characters where everything is black and white, including the colour.
Greg Geisler returns as Anthony Cairo, a character with a shady past and an even more shady presence. Greg is a delight to watch as he plies his
craft(iness) throughout the café.
As Anthony, Greg is the quintessential opportunist; he is sleaze personified, right down to his business card.
Deputy Inspector Rigfield, played by Jeremy Whitlock, is a man with a mission or two. He wants a promotion and he wants to shut down the Café Noir and will seize any opportunity to realize both wishes.
Jeremy is very energetic. His performance of "Gotcha," although directed at Rick, very much tells the audience that they are right where the cast wants them; they are hooked.
Jeremy also plays the part of Renault, a taxi driver by day and a passionate member of the radical French Liberte party by night.
Jeremy's energy is equally evident when he is Renault. His ability to switch between a British-accented Rigfield and a French-accented Renault is amazing.
Karen Shewchuck is Ingrid Lazlo, a frightened, desperate woman who is in the process of being blackmailed. She wants Rick to help find her blackmailer and offers to "reward" him for his efforts, much to Sheila's dismay.
Ingrid is not only frightened, she is also frightening. Ingrid's line about French lovers hit the spot with this audience.
Sidney Ferrari, a wealthy developer played by Ike Dimayuga, owns a nearby resort and desperately wants to own Café Noir. This upsets Rick.
Ferrari also covets Sheila, which upsets Rick even more.
Phyllis Heeney plays the part of Claudette Ponte, a French woman who makes her living by being a blackmailer. Another scary woman, Claudette's nickname is Nurse Nightshade; her knowledge of poisons is legendary.
Also quite energetic, Phyllis's performance of "Was It?" is a knockout and was thoroughly enjoyed by the house.
Phyllis also plays another part; her portrayal of Judge Koch, a local magistrate, is a sight to behold.
Her beer-swilling, cigarette-smoking, dispensing of justice would have made even Judge Roy Bean sit up and take notice.
Director Wendy Wright is to be congratulated for putting together a wonderful evening's entertainment and we look forward to seeing more of her work.
Her cast and crew deserve to be commended for providing us with such an enjoyable production.
The Chalk River Legion was a good venue for Café Noir. Friendly staff, friendly servers, good food; what more could you ask for?
I've only named a few people who were involved in this particular production, but there are dozens of others who helped, including, producer, costumes, props, lighting, set construction, and all the other behind the scenes people, the unsung heroes... thank you.
And if anyone is reading this and you haven't seen "Noir Suspicions," I encourage you to get a ticket before they're all gone; you won't be sorry.
("Noir Suspicions" continues this Friday and Saturday, May 7-8. Tickets are available at Pinecrest Florists.)
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