
Entertaining Elgin
By David J. Ferguson
If a title or caption contains the word ‘sex’ or ‘sexy’ it is a sure-fire way to add enough zip, zing and zowie to grab the attention of most. But once you have titillated the naughty side of the mind the onus is now upon the performance to deliver.
The Port Stanley Festival Theatre bares their bloomers in the breeze with the third instalment of the 2012 season as “Sexy Laundry” is displayed on the stage.
By David J. Ferguson
If a title or caption contains the word ‘sex’ or ‘sexy’ it is a sure-fire way to add enough zip, zing and zowie to grab the attention of most. But once you have titillated the naughty side of the mind the onus is now upon the performance to deliver.
The Port Stanley Festival Theatre bares their bloomers in the breeze with the third instalment of the 2012 season as “Sexy Laundry” is displayed on the stage.
Two fantabulous character actors, Danielle Nicole (Alice) and Jim Doucette (Henry) play exceptionally well off of each other and deliver the goods as if they have been married to each other for some time.
Alice and Henry have come to a crossroads in their lives after being married for 25 years with three kids, decent jobs, house and the whole life wrapped around by a white picket fence. However, at this stage in their lives the sparkle and shine has become dull and faded. Complacency with one another has crept in and romance in the bedroom seems to have sizzled out.
Alice and Henry have come to a crossroads in their lives after being married for 25 years with three kids, decent jobs, house and the whole life wrapped around by a white picket fence. However, at this stage in their lives the sparkle and shine has become dull and faded. Complacency with one another has crept in and romance in the bedroom seems to have sizzled out.
They book themselves into a ritzy hotel in an attempt to recapture the passion that once existed before the perils of life, kids and jobs crept into the picture. What unfolds is a roller coaster ride for the audience filled with giggles, tears, boisterous laughter and I’m sure perhaps a little reflection by some on their own relationships .
The sexual hijinks come from the pages of a ‘Sex for Dummies’ guide which proposes role play, fantasies and addressing private parts by names as methods for readers to put the pizzazz back in their pants.
Director Liz Gilroy must surely have experienced many a gut-splitting episode while directing this script. She has done a phenomenal job of getting the story to leap from the stage and onto the laps of those in the audience.
Eric Bunnell’s set design fits the upscale hotel room to a tee, from the fancy doors to fireplace, flashing lights and IPod dock next to the bed.
Even without any of the other many entertaining aspects of “Sexy Laundry” the facial expressions and dance portions of the play served up by Henry, played by Jim Doucette and the whip cracks of sultress Alice as portrayed by Danielle Nicole, give you good reason to stretch your ribs with laughter. Most definitely another hit for the theatre by the lake.
This play is certainly worthy of a standing ovation and will likely receive many of them over its run which ends July 21st. Check out the website www.portstanleytheatre.ca for showtimes.
Photos by David J. Ferguson
"Sexy Laundry" was written by Michele Riml. Say tuned for more of Dave’s reviews of upcoming shows at Port Stanley Festival Theatre.
The sexual hijinks come from the pages of a ‘Sex for Dummies’ guide which proposes role play, fantasies and addressing private parts by names as methods for readers to put the pizzazz back in their pants.
Director Liz Gilroy must surely have experienced many a gut-splitting episode while directing this script. She has done a phenomenal job of getting the story to leap from the stage and onto the laps of those in the audience.
Eric Bunnell’s set design fits the upscale hotel room to a tee, from the fancy doors to fireplace, flashing lights and IPod dock next to the bed.
Even without any of the other many entertaining aspects of “Sexy Laundry” the facial expressions and dance portions of the play served up by Henry, played by Jim Doucette and the whip cracks of sultress Alice as portrayed by Danielle Nicole, give you good reason to stretch your ribs with laughter. Most definitely another hit for the theatre by the lake.
This play is certainly worthy of a standing ovation and will likely receive many of them over its run which ends July 21st. Check out the website www.portstanleytheatre.ca for showtimes.
Photos by David J. Ferguson
"Sexy Laundry" was written by Michele Riml. Say tuned for more of Dave’s reviews of upcoming shows at Port Stanley Festival Theatre.