Theater Review: Cash on Delivery
May the Farce Be With You: Justin Bruse, Michelle Linn Hall and Cody K. Carlson scheme and sleuth their way through HCT’s latest production.
Theater Review: Cash on Delivery
Run for the Money: HCT's fast-paced comedy goes straight for the funnybone — even while moving in circles.
by Kelly Ashkettle
kashkettle@inthisweek.com
Historically, I haven't been much of a fan of farce. This style of comedy generally involves people going to great lengths to hide something from one another for what seems like a ridiculous reason. I usually find myself wanting to yell at the characters that they should just be honest with each other. "Cash on Delivery" is different though; as outrageous as it is, it makes sense.
In Hale Centre Theatre's latest production of the British comedy, Cody K. Carlson stars as Eric Swan, a man who's discovered that he can cash a former tenant's Social Security check and pocket the money. He's soon invented a houseful of imaginary tenants and their dependents.
Naturally, this attracts the attention of the British government, who send out a few agents to verify his claims.
Caught in the crossfires are his current tenant, Norman McDonald (Justin Bruse) and his Uncle George (Neal Barth), whom he convinces to help him in his deception, while his wife, Linda Swan (Michelle Linn Hall) remains oblivious to the nature of his activities — although she does suspect something is wrong.
Carlson and Bruse are reprising their roles from HCT's 2000 production of the play, and their performances have been polished to a high sheen as they execute the fast-paced script with lightning-quick efficiency. As the characters impersonate each other, the level absurdity grows higher and higher, while still managing to remain just barely believable.
Six supporting characters are played on alternate days by different actors. A standout on a Saturday was Linda Jean Stephenson as Ms. Cowper, a stern government agent whose attire becomes an unlikely source of humor.
One of my favorite performers is uncredited, though — the guy inside the unruly washing machine that chases the characters across the floor. He makes a brief appearance during the curtainless "curtain" calls, which are creatively staged by having the actors pause for bows in the midst of chasing each other around the stage.
The stage setup for this production is simple, but effective; all the action takes place in the Swans' tastefully decorated living room in East London. It must be a welcome change for HCT's hard-working stage crew after the theater's last three productions: the intensely technical "A Christmas Carol," "Into the Woods" and "Big: The Musical."
This time, the witty dialogue upstages the special effects, and with hilarious results, as this Tony-Award-winning script runs circles around most other farce.
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Back to top »
