|
||
|
Disclaimer:
The reviewers' opinions are their own and do not necessarily reflect the views of TheatreLouisville.org. |
Peer Reviews Optical
Illusion: Murder in Plain Sight
WhoDunnit Murder Mystery Theater produces interactive theatre wherein a mystery is to be solved. In its latest presentation they push the interactive aspect a little further than in previous shows, even pulling this critic up onto the stage late in the action. Whether such a tactic was meant to unduly influence the tone of the pending review was unclear, but it did strike me that there could be some risk in embarrassing the reviewer. Fear not, it was meant in good fun, and that was how it was received, for the whole premise of interactive mystery theatre seems to invite breaking down traditional barriers between audience and performer. In this regard, director Niles Welch succeeded, particularly in the first act, where the action of the text has been underway for several minutes before the audience fully realizes it. Cast members sneakily intrude on the first course of the meal being served and one character is even dressed as.....ah, but therein lies the problem of reviewing a show such as this, for I have already revealed too much and it is far too easy to spoil the surprise and fun of the evening. Suffice it to say that the title, "Optical Illusion: Murder in Plain Sight," is an accurate clue as to the manner in which the story is presented. The scenario has several attendees to a scientific conference involved in a plot that results in at least one murder. Steven Kasden is a scientist with a much-sought-after secret formula and two women claiming to be his wife. A rival scientist and an FBI agent are also on the scene. The first act breezed by swiftly, in part because of the manner in which the characters are introduced among the audience, nicely expanding the confines of the small stage to include the entire dining room, but, in contrast, the expository-heavy second act seemed to drag slightly in comparison. As to the solving of the mystery, my companion and I entertained several theories, all of which were incorrect, before the truth of things was revealed. My initial reaction to the solution was to be so shocked and perplexed that I was convinced the author had not played fair and believed sufficient clues were lacking. To my chagrin, 10 more astute audience members successfully solved the mystery, so any cries of "foul" on my part could only be taken as sour grapes. For someone who grew up reading the works of Arthur Conan Doyle and Agatha Christie, it was frustrating to be so stumped. If the script was sufficiently tricky, the acting was mostly forthright, with Cory Vaughn's broadly played police detective driving the action with high energy and sure comic timing, and the delightful Erica Goldsmith once again putting plenty of the "femme" in her femme fatale as the less classy of the two wives. Cristina Martin was able and articulate as the far more sophisticated of the two spouses. Alicia Davis was effectively officious and intimidating as the FBI agent, but James Wolford Hardin was a little stiff in his role as the rival scientist, and slow to pick up his cues. WhoDunnit mainstay Graham Bell seemed so intent in underplaying the easily dominated Steven that he at times seemed a little adrift, so that we missed the spark that Mr. Bell has delivered in past shows. The contemporary setting placed less emphasis on the costumes, although each character was well fitted in appropriate attire, and the dining room in Masterson's was suitably employed as a banquet hall setting within the scientific conference. Once again WhoDunnit provides a unique experience; a bright and diverting evening's entertainment suitable for all ages.
Optical Illusion: Murder in Plain Sight
Posted Feb. 15, 2009
|
|