February 19, 2003

Arsenic and Old Lace

I was fortunate enough to go to Arsenic and Old Lace last night, playing at the Stanley Theatre on Granville.

It was one of the best plays I have seen in a very long time. Perhaps even the best. The director did a great job putting it together just right, but the stars of this performance were:

Dr. Einstein (Colin Heath): Short in stature, but capable of some impressive physical comedy. I'm convinced he must have suffered some grave injury during rehearsals trying to do all of the tricks he pulled off.

The Set (Ken MacDonald): This is likely the best set I have ever seen. It sets the comedic tone right from the start, and the cast members fit into it beautifully. It was a joy to behold as the curtains went up.

Abby Brewster (Nicola Cavendish): If you see this play for one reason, it should be for Ms. Cavendish's performance. She is so beautifully impish and loony and hilarious that even her movements (she doesn't run, she bobbles) are hilarious.

If you'd like to see a live performance this year, this one is a sure bet. But a tip: reserve your intermission drinks when you get to the theatre so you don't have to stand in line. I finally got my iced tea just as the lights flickered and an announcement called us back to our seats.