THE ANGER IN ERNEST AND ERNESTINE by Leah Cherniak, Robert Morgan and Martha Ross (Soulpepper). At the Young Centre (50 Tank House). Runs to February 20 see soulpepper.ca for schedule. $25-$60. 416-866-8666. Rating: NNNN
Falling in love is easy whats hard for some soulmates is sustaining that love on a day-to-day basis.
At the start of The Anger In Ernest And Ernestine, the title characters, recently married, are blithely, innocently in love as they move into their first home, a windowless basement apartment dominated by a large furnace. But as the title suggests, were going to explore some darker emotions.
The Soulpepper production, directed by Leah Cherniak (who wrote the script, now a classic, with Robert Morgan and Martha Ross), features gifted ensemble performers Raquel Duffy and Gregory Prest, who easily define the strict, rule-oriented Ernest and the more scattered, disorganized Ernestine.
Early on we can see problems ahead whats initially charming starts to become grating. She keeps used tea bags in the pot, while he hates the practice. He neatly organizes his first meal of the day, while her approach is more breakneck than breakfast. Theres also some subtle competition in their interactions.
Their asides to the audience (in this clown-influenced show, the fourth wall is often breached) are dead on, as are some of the comic bits, especially the early wordless exchanges.
But at times the rhythms arent yet secure theres more laughter in solo scenes (Ernest as a fantasy rock star, Ernestine frustrated as she waits for a movie date with Ernest) than in their combined antics. Sometimes, though, everything clicks, as when they write a joint letter of complaint after narrowly avoiding a car accident.
Its not until the second act that the production jells and whats been avoided between them becomes a central issue. Theyre a couple who sit on their anger rather than voice their needs or confront the other further, they can barely escape each other in their small apartment. The edgy second act, which opens with animal sex, reveals that love isnt the only thing needed to cement a strong relationship.
Here, the actors maintain the comedy but add an often upsetting intensity that shades the characters attraction and need for each other. Duffys Ernestine sometimes drips sarcasm, while Prests Ernest tries fruitlessly to find ways to calm the tension between them.
The set is a key part of the show, and Shannon Lea Doyles design, lit by Ken MacKenzie, makes the smoking, rumbling, uncontrollable furnace a third character in this too-cozy domestic world. Doyle gives it a monstrous face, complete with spiky teeth and pipes that become distended horns. Its bursts of steam sometimes echo the characters moods and sometimes seem to propel them.
One message here is that dislike, if not moments of hate, can be part of a loving partnership. Maybe its only from that acknowledgment that a solid relationship can grow. Still, the disturbing last few minutes of this production make it the most sober version of Ernest And Ernestine Ive seen.
