"Will you still love me in the morning?" asks the cast and crew from Coast Community Productions. It's also the title of their latest play, a comedy directed by Daniel Tyrrell that opened this week and runs at the Heritage Playhouse in Gibsons until April 7.
And the answer is - I don't know about loving, but I can guarantee that you will still be laughing in the morning. It's a hilarious farce with lots of fast action, risqué seductions, splendid costume changes and split second timing.
This is the second play that the relatively new theatre group has presented (The Man with the Plastic Sandwich was produced last November). The company sees the transforming power of theatre as a community building experience. The concept attracted some experienced actors, along with those who are new to the theatre.
Patrick Visser and Lisa Quinn star as the newlywed couple, Jeremy and Celia, who return home from their disastrous honeymoon a week early with an unconsummated marriage and a horny husband. Though they hoped to have the home to themselves, Jeremy's bosses have taken up his invitation to stay in his home while he was away. The two bosses both seized the opportunity to carry out their love affairs in private - the only problem is that they have each brought the other's wife. One of the solicitor partners is played in fine, lusty form by Mac Dodge who brings his lover, performed by Anna Diehl, while the other partner, the fretting Peregrine (played by Daniel Tyrrell) brings his amorous girlfriend performed by the seductive Marcia Forst. The action is complicated when a bumbling plumber, played by Terry Karkabe, attempts to fix a water leak amid the confusion.
When Jeremy finds out that he has both naughty couples in his home, he realizes that the visit could be a disaster and he can say goodbye to any ambitions of becoming a partner in the firm. Jeremy and Celia kick in to high gear as hosts and the fun begins.
For innocent eyes, be warned that this is an adult play that revolves around that wonderful primal urge, sex. It was written by Brian Clemens and Dennis Spooner, successful British scriptwriters who are known for their dramatic writing. Clemens wrote scripts for British and American TV including such long running shows as The Avengers, while Spooner also wrote for TV including many scripts for the sci fi legend Dr. Who. Their comical sides emerge in this collaboration.
There are seven doors on the elaborate stage set designed by Tyrrell. Characters pop in and out of them with clever timing that adds to the humour. The whole is stage managed by another Coast Community founder, Simone Tyrrell. Emily Cardinall is backstage manager and Billie Carroll works the lights.
Will You Still Love Me in the Morning? has already opened and runs tonight (Friday) and Saturday, then again March 29 to 31 and April 5 to 7 at 8 p.m. with matinees on March 24, 25, 31 and April 1 and 7 at 2 p.m. Tickets are $20, available at Laedeli and Gaia's Fair Trade in Gibsons, Shanti Gifts, Lucy's and Strait Music in Sechelt.
On Wednesday, March 28, Chasters at Bonniebrook Lodge offers a special dining and theatre evening of a three-course dinner with a glass of champagne served in time to arrive at the theatre (dinner starts at 5:30 p.m.) Diners can take their receipts to the theatre and receive $5 off the ticket price.Reserve for the Wednesday dinner and theatre by calling 604-886-2887.
