K-W & Beyond

Soulpepper Theatre came into existence in 1998 as a result of the efforts of 12 artists wishing to create a classical repertory theatre in Toronto. Their idea was to provide a classical theatre experience for the GTA and others, along with a training facility and mentorship for young artists. What started with two productions in the summer of 1998 has grown under the artistic direction of Albert Schultz to 12 plays a year, 400 performances, audience of 80,000 each year and a stable facility in Toronto’s Distillery District. They have been presented with significant awards each and every year, and their reputation has grown way beyond the Toronto area or even Canada. The list of ambitious plays includes classical Shakespere, Anton Chekhov, Bertolt Brecht, Noel Coward, Tennessee Williams, Albee and many others. Some of their productions were classics like Hamlet, some were very modern plays and some just enchanting comedies. Our readers might recall the extraordinary productions of Schiller’s Don Carlos and Lessing’s Nathan the Wise.

The Guardsman
by Ferenc Molnár at Soulpepper

Ferenc Neumann (later Molnár) was born in Budapest in 1878 and started writing plays by the time he was 30. The Guardsman was written and staged in 25 successful shows in Budapest in 1910. It was translated into English and enjoyed a great reception in New York in 1924.

Some elements of it (jealous husband, actress wife) are based on Molnár’s own experience and his own marriage. The husband (Albert Schultz), an actor, is very suspicious of his wife of 6 months (Diana Donnelly), a very attractive actress with the reputation of changing lovers every half a year. He decides to test her by disguising himself as a Russian Guardsman and attempts to seduce her. The game turns absolutely hilarious, the costumes, make-up, situations adding to this wonderful comedy. Albert Schultz is truly wonderful and unquestionably enjoying himself in this bizarre role. Diego Matamoros as a family friend adds to the flavour of the play.

Although the costumes and the décor are indicative of the early 20th century, there is no sense of outdated situations, possibly the translation has modernized the play, possibly – even better – the acting. It is a wonderful comedy, with style, humour and class. The director László Marton did a great job and the audience gave him and the actors credit with a standing ovation.

Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf?
by Edward Albee, at Soulpepper

The story is well known, and the movie with Richard Burton and Elizabeth Taylor has been seen by millions. When it premiered on Broadway in 1962 it must have been a cultural shock and beginning in the new era. 47 years later - it still delivers.

It is one of those plays that cannot be done without an exceptional director and a superb mature cast; in this case we have both. The credit for directing by Diana Leblanc cannot be stressed enough. The acting of Diego Matamoros as George and Nancy Palk as Martha could be recorded as an example for the generations of actors to come. I have seen Georges henpecked and depressed, Marthas whining and crying. This Martha is mean and strong, George is sarcastic and vindictive. And there is chemistry between them, the feeling of this long term relationship bringing understanding, dependency and – strange as it can be – caring. There is depth to it. Also the young couple played by Tim Campbell and Diana Donnelly has more life to them than in many other productions. They are young and their relationship has no history, but there is a love story.

The audience kept laughing at the jokes in the first act. In the second act they laughed less. There is some of Martha and George in all long relationships where familiarity brings contempt. By the end there was silence, and the feeling of being kicked in the stomach.

Both The Guardsman and Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf? run till October 24^th. Parfumerie will open November 26 till December 24 (another charming comedy) and Civil Elegies from December 3 to 24.

I am very much looking forward to seeing the plans for Soulpeper for 2010 and will advise when dates become available. The web-site is www.Soulpepper.ca and the box office number 416-866-8666.