Zelda Lavish
This past weekend brought local theater to Thailand once again as
the Pattaya Players produced one of the funniest and most unique versions of
Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol. Misplaced carollers, falling sets, and a
surpassingly-sticky Christmas pudding all contributed to the multitude of
mistakes that (believe it or not) made this show a smashing success!
Thor
Halland as Scrooge working laboriously at his miserly desk.
Marking the Pattaya Players’ fourth production this year, “A Dickens’
Christmas Carol: A Traveling Travesty in Two Tumultuous Acts” written by
Mark Landon Smith, the actors and actresses pulled off their
play-within-a-play with humor and pure jovial energy.
As the story goes, The Styckes Upon Thump Repertory Company was embarking on
their fifteenth annual tour of the Dickens’ classic when the company’s
leading lady, Mrs. Bettina Salisbury (narcissistically dramatized by Board
President Debbie Cavanaugh) feigned illness, certain the production would be
cancelled. However, not to be undone, this merry troupe of over the hill and
upstart actors pulled together and managed to carry on without her.
Paul
Strachan as Tiny Tim shows off his fancy footwork on the edge of the stage.
Roles were shuffled and the sweet understudy, Mrs. Cordelia Fffoilet-Ffokes
Hortescue Woods (played with much conviction by Wendy Kahn) suddenly found
herself on stage as a star and basked in the glory of the spotlight. Alas,
like most dramatic tales of happiness, Cordelia’s dreams soon came crashing
down as midway through performance, the Diva rushed in to reclaim her role.
Total mayhem ensued as the company scrambled to keep the show going while
the two women carried on a yuletide cat fight! As a result, everything in
the professionally amateur production went hilariously wrong.
These talented lady thespians demonstrated their comedic teamwork as both
characters fought for the spot light throughout the show. At one point,
Salisbury even ended up in Scrooge’s bed on Christmas morning, eager for her
fifteen seconds of fame in the limelight.
The laughs kept coming as hammy actors such as Sir Selsdon Piddock
(skilfully portrayed by Thor Halland) playing Scrooge and the nervous and
ever-absent minded understudy for an understudy, Cynthia Imbry (fashioned
with much aplomb by Clare Bryant) came to light. With a sparkling debut
performance, Cecile Schiffers jumped from costuming mistress to talented
thespian as she tackled the role of Dame Rowena Middleton-Lewis. As things
took a turn for the worst, the players tripped, jumped and even flew in a
desperate attempt to save their show.
Although “Carol” is an ensemble show, there were some players who certainly
stood out. Ken Cavanaugh as Mr. Elyot Crummels was an act in and of himself,
as his physicality and charisma helped to carry the humor of the show along,
never once letting the comedy fall flat. Paul Strachan as Teddy Shrub also
kept the audience laughter rolling as his portrayal of Tiny Tim (walking on
his knees and projecting a rather inaudible utterance of speech) graced the
stage with frolicking frivolity!
The technical side of the show, systematically run by Production Manager
Mariel Fluttert, was full of well-executed mishaps and mayhem. While trying
to get tech work perfect is hard in and of itself, purposely screwing up at
the right times and in the right ways is a whole new degree of difficulty.
This included spotlights in the wrong places and even set pieces falling.
The stage crew became visible as they threw snow over the actors heads, and
as flats came crashing down.
Lastly, the one person who is always the driving force of the success behind
any production is the much coveted Director. Duane Hauch, a veteran thespian
and experienced community theater Director in his own right, proved how hard
work, a clear vision and a touch of class can propel a two-dimensional black
and white script into a full, head-on, in-living-color professional
production.
As this reviewer well knows, physical comedy can go either way in the
theatre. It is a difficult task, takes twice as much energy as drama, and
must be worked on constantly. The Pattaya Players once again demonstrated
their hard work through the success of their show. Not only was it the
comedic timing that made “Carol” enjoyable, but it was also the fact that
the cast and crew were obviously having great fun as they brought to life
one of the oldest stage adages, “The show must go on.”
However, without the support of their paid Members and Corporate Sponsors,
the Pattaya Players would not exist today. Great thanks goes out to the
following companies and individuals for investing in the development of
Pattaya’s performing arts: AA Insurance Brokers Co., Ltd., Bangkok Pattaya
Hospital, Cavanaugh Community Center, Chevrolet, Indian By Nature, LCIT,
Rabbit Resort, Horseshoe Point, Bruce & Judy Hoppe, Casa Pascal, The Sleep
Factory, St. Andrews International School, Rayong, Steps & Rhythm, Pattaya
City Expats Club, SPICE! Magazine & Website and Pattaya Mail. For further
information on becoming a Member or Corporate Sponsor, please visit their
website at www. pattayaplayers.org.
Never one to rest on their laurels, the Pattaya Players have already planned
out 5 productions for the coming year. In fact, they will be holding
auditions for their next two shows on Monday, January 12: A Murder Mystery
Dinner Theater at -5 Supper Club and Neil Simon’s “The Odd Couple.” For
further information visit their website or e-mail them at
pattayaplayers@gmail.com.
The full
cast of “Carol” (from left to right): Cecile Schiffers, Wendy Khan, Clare
Bryant, Thor Halland, Paul Strachan, Debbie Cavanaugh and Ken Cavanaugh.
Cast members
struggle to stir the sticky Christmas pudding that mucks up the smooth
production.
