K-W & Beyond

Parfumerie by Miklόs László at Soulpepper in Toronto

I missed seeing Parfumerie in 2009 and listening to the enthusiastic commentaries both by the press as well as theatre aficionados, consequently I was looking forward to the repeat production in 2011. And indeed, it is a play and production worth seeing – at the show I attended people were buying “standing room only” tickets. It was written in 1937 and set in Budapest, Laszlo’s native city.

Brenda Robbins and Adam Pettle did a fabulous job adapting the play, Morris Panych directed with flair and enthusiasm and the set design by Ken MacDonald deserves a special note: it is a breathtaking art nouveau style of interior of the elegant European parfumerie. And with all the details!

The story rings a bell: two employees of the aforementioned establishment are involved in exchanging anonymous letters via mail boxes and have fallen in love. What they do not know is that the objects of their affection are the co-workers at the parfumerie. In 1998 the tale was adapted for the film You’ve Got Mail with memorable parts played by Meg Ryan and Tom Hanks. Besides the main plot there are other on-going stories: the discovery of the affair of one of the employees with the wife of Mr. Hammerschmidt, the proprietor of the parfumerie, and the career change of the very ambitious delivery boy. Each story line is well-developed in itself and provides the audience with an opportunity to watch how they evolve and offer sincere joy and laughter. Two main roles are played by Patricia Fagan and Oliver Dennis, and Joseph Ziegler plays the part of Mr. Hammerschmidt.

It is not only a great play, its adaptation, acting, directing and stage design are also exceptional. I have seen The Guardsman written by another Hungarian playwright Ferenc Molnar at Soulpepper in 2009, and now Parfumerie – maybe non-English European writers are worth looking into, translating, adapting and introducing something different to the Canadian audience, so accustomed to watching mainly British and American plays. There is more to traditional Europe than it seems. Just a thought.

Soulpepper Theatre in Toronto has announced its 2012 program, among other plays Long Day’s Journey into the Night by Eugene O’Neil in February and in March, The Sunshine Boys by Neil Simon, The Crucible by Arthur Miller, both running from July till September, Endgame by Samual Beckett in October and repeat of the success of last year Death of the Salesman in September. There are subscriptions and 4 tickets packs available. So call 416-866-8666 or visit www.soulpepper.ca.