Stage Door News
Stage Door News
[MISSISSAUGA ON, January 2014] For the first time ever, as its next offering in the 2013-14 “Uppity Women” season, Theatre Erindale is turning to French Farce. But this French farce has a special twist. One of those ‘uppity women’ – Dorothy Lees Blakey – has set her translation in Montréal! The hilarious result, A Stitch in Time, runs January 23 to February 2 at the Erindale Studio Theatre.
It’s almost the end of the 1800s, and well-heeled young doctor Robert Moulineux has been married for six months. But he’s not getting everything a young husband craves – he and his wife sleep in separate bedrooms. So naturally he goes off in search of hanky-panky … and gets himself all tied up in measuring tape, as his intended love-nest turns out to be a former dress-making salon, and the string of would-be clients includes his mother-in-law! Mistaken identities, outrageous excuses, frantic escapes – a snoopy butler, an army officer, an old flame – billed as “a poke in the (wandering) eye!”, this version does the side-splitting tradition full justice while instilling a sunny Canadian point of view.
The original source of the comic chaos is a play called tailleur pour dames by the man often considered the master farceur of all time, Georges Feydeau. Brian Blakey premiered his translation at the National Arts Centre and the Bastion Theatre (Victoria) in the 1970s, then his widow Dorothy Lees Blakey rewrote it for the Lighthouse Festival Theatre (Port Dover) in the 1990s. Their version was also produced in England. The Hamilton Spectator called it “Splendid … a joyful charade … cleverly inventive”, and the Lancaster Comment summed it up as “Delicious … a comic romp … vigorous, attractive, and fun.”
The Director is Sheridan’s David Matheson, fresh from his record-setting mounting of Macbeth and his Dora-winning indie production of The Dumbwaiter. Says he, “Watching these students come to grips with the joys and perils of this material has been an exhilarating experience.” The audience can expect no less.
A Stitch in Time runs January 23 to February 2 at the Erindale Studio Theatre, with evening performances Thursday through Saturday and matinées on Saturdays and on Sunday February 2. Single tickets are still only $10-$15 and parking is $6.00. For tickets and information, call the Erindale Studio Theatre Box Office at 905-569-4369 or www.theatreerindale.com . NOTE: The North entrance to the UTM campus is now closed for construction. Please use the Main or South (Collegeway) entrances and follow Outer Circle Road around to the CCT Garage or Lot 1.
A STITCH IN TIME
by Dorothy Lees Blakey and Brian Blakey
adapted from Georges Feydeau’s tailleur pour dames
directed by David Matheson
French Farce Montréal style – a poke in the (wandering) eye!
Preview Jan 23; Opening Jan 24; runs Jan 25 and Jan 30-Feb 2, 2014
Thurs 7:30; Fri 8:00; Sat 2:00 & 8:00; Sun Feb 2 2:00
$10.00-$15.00
Erindale Studio Theatre
(Mississauga Road north of Dundas)
www.theatreerindale.com or 905-569-4369
2014-01-12
Mississauga: Theatre Erindale presents the French farce "A Stitch in Time" January 23-February 3