What makes a mystery? Perhaps it is not knowing what will happen next. Courtenay Little Theatre鈥檚 upcoming production of Evelyn Strange by Stewart Lemoine, is a maze of not knowing who and what and where.
It is a wonderful mystery of intrigue and danger. And we are certainly not sure what will happen next.
Set in 1950s New York, the story begins in a box at the opera - the Metropolitan Opera of course. Nina (Ann-Marie Lewis), a beautiful though reluctant opera fan, is joined by a man she knows and likes, an employee of her husband. The opera, Wagner鈥檚 Siegfried, gets underway. Another woman enters the box. She enters, then leaves, then returns. Then Nina leaves. Immediately the mood is set. What is going on here?
Kirstin Humpherys, the skilled director of this fine and entertaining play, gives the mystery full rein. She emphasizes the changing plot. 鈥淚t鈥檚 a strange play that twists and turns,鈥� she says, adding, with a laugh, 鈥淚t is quite a ride!鈥�
But Evelyn Strange? Who is this woman? When left alone with her, Perry Spengler, played by Jon Faris, discovers that very little about her is clear. She knows her name is Evelyn Strange, at least that is the name on her notebook, but she doesn鈥檛 know who she is or where she came from. Maybe amnesia? Maybe something more sinister.
The plot of Evelyn Strange leads the audience through an entertaining tangle of surprise and confusion. Has there been a murder? Is Nina having an affair? Certainly, she and the attractive Lewis (Phil Henry) are more than just good friends.
At the core of this mysterious story is Evelyn Strange herself. Newcomer to Courtenay Little Theatre, Nicole Abbott, brings a delicate strength to her portrayal of a bewildered, frightened woman. As the play proceeds, her story slowly begins to unravel. And the other characters are pulled into the web.
Courtenay Little Theatre has put together a wonderful 1950s feel to this production. The abstract set by Jay Crowder, period costumes by Gail Limber and accurate props assembled by Ruth Dilts, all contribute to an atmosphere of film noir. And yet, underneath this layer of darkness is a lively vein of humour as Lemoine lightens the mood with wit and repartee. This is a play with great audience appeal.
Evelyn Strange will be performed in the Sid Williams Theatre, Oct. 5, 6, 10, 11, 12, 13 at 7:30 p.m. and on Saturday, Oct. 7 at 2 p.m.
Tickets are $25 evening and $23 for matin茅e performances and are available online at sidwilliamstheatre.com, 250-338-2430, or at the theatre box office.
Season tickets are $54 for all three shows and the special CLT FlexPass, $125, offers six tickets for the price of five. The six FlexPass tickets can be used in any combination for any production.
