THE PHILANDERESS
Annex Theatre
See show info here
Rating: NNNNN
Sophia Fabiilli brilliantly adapts George Bernard Shaw’s play for the 21st-century casting herself in the titular role as Charlotte, a young woman who has a PhD in feminist philosophy, a renowned sex blog and an open relationship with her lawyer boyfriend, Grayson (Amos Crawley). But during a Muskoka getaway to celebrate their “engagement as life partners,” Charlotte’s lover Julian (Jakob Ehman) turns up with his family in tow, launching a comical, feisty and at times smouldering bedroom farce.
The cohesive six-person cast interacts energetically, and although the parent figures are somewhat superfluous, the younger generation plays up the relationship complexities really bringing Fabiilli’s sharp writing to life. Uttering many of the show’s best one-liners, Ehman hurls himself into the role of the passionate, dimwitted spurned lover, and Seth Drabinsky’s deadpan delivery as the flamboyant sibling Sylvie gets some of the heartiest laughs.
With the support of Nate Bitton’s well-choreographed fight scenes, Michelle Alexander directs the high-energy cast with flair and strong pacing.
If this play had a Tinder profile, you’d want to swipe right. Hook up with tickets quickly, as opening night sold out.
