A timeless masterpiece with local flair
By Lourdes Quijada
IF A PLAY by a 17th century French writer sounds either too highbrow or too dated for your next theatrical night out – think again.
The updated performance of Moliere’s School for Wives at the Theatre Guild of Ancon (TGA) reveals a down to earth comedy that raised eyebrows when it was first shown to an audience in France that included the King’s brother in 1662, but has survived the years and still titillates theatrical appetites. It is a Moliere masterpiece, his greatest, according to some, that truly deserves the accolade timeless.
A square in a provincial town is the center of the fast moving
action, and while the husky tones of Edith Piaf in the background might have puzzled Moliere if he had attended the dress rehearsal, he would have appreciated how, with the cleverly constructed stage setting, it sets the tone for the comedic performance. Arnolphe a besotted middle aged man afraid of the entrapment of marriage to
a mature and potentially unfaithful wife, plans to solve the problem by bringing up his ward from the age of four in a convent where he controlled her curriculum to produce a naïve, foolish and malleable potential bride with no worldly experience. When the play opens the 17 year old Agnes (Mingthoy Sanjur) has recently been moved into his house as he plans the marriage. The manipulative Arnolphe is magnificently portrayed by Amit Nathani, who lives the role with perfect diction and body language as the character moves from schemer to frustrated lover. He is strongly supported by H.B. Twohy as Chrysalde the I-told you-so friend and confident, whose other connections help lead to the unraveling of Arnolphe’s dreams. And Davis Walden as Alain, the young lover who pours out details of his love for Agnes to the horrified Arnolphe. Mingthoy who convincingly portrays the foolish Agnes is also the director of the play. Its success demonstrates that she has covered all the bases during her 10 year involvement in theater. In the program, Mingthoy plays tribute to assistant producer Melanie Lee who over the years "served as acting coach, teacher, colleague and support.”
The dimmed flickering lights interludes add a subtle touch to a totally smooth production and give an added flavor to the flailing of Alain by strongly cast Kari King as Georgette the peasant maid and Felipe Echandi as the butler. Jose Mezquita excelled as the notary showing us that lawyers have changed little over the years.
Daniel Heinrichs as Oronte and Steve Barnett as Enrique in the dénouement helped provide the finishing touches to an evening to remember. One regular supporter described it as the best TGA performance in the last six years. Don’t miss it. The play is on at the Guild Theatre on March 1-2 and March 7, 8 and 9. Performances start at 8 pm. Donation $15. Advance bookings: tgapanama@anconguild.com
