[NoHo Arts District, CA] – A NoHo Arts theatre review of ELATE‘s Lettice and Lovage by Peter Shaffer, running through May 3.
ELATE has made a habit of staging some of the most iconic plays over the last century. And I am all for it!
Lettice and Lovage was written for the stage by Peter Shaffer, especially for the most beloved of dames, Maggie Smith. In originating this spectacular role on Broadway, she won a Tony Award and created a legend.
The basic plot revolves around Lettice Douffet, an aging, slightly odd woman whose childhood was spent with her mother touring the French countryside with a ragtag actors troupe reciting Shakespeare in French to all who would listen. When her mother died, she continued her work but found she was lost without her. She returned to England, but her particular set of skills was not in demand.
We find her then as a historical guide in an insignificant English manor, Fustian House. Stupefied by the terribly dull, dry, pre-approved descriptions of staircases, tapestries and gentry, she elaborates to entertain the visitors and the further she gilds the lily, the more her audience delights and tips!
Sadly, she goes a little too far of the plot one day when a local historian was taking the tour and letters were written to the historical society that employs her. The head of HR goes undercover to witness the dramatic diatribes for herself and Lettice finds herself out of work once again.
Virtually unemployable, she ekes out an existence temping in department stores, squirting perfume at unsuspecting customers. But the lady from HR, Ms. Shoen, has regrets and Lettice stays in her head, an earworm like. Until one day, she visits Lettice in her grubby little basement flat to tell her of the perfect job she has found for a person of her own unique capabilities.
What begins as a sad indictment of brittle, overly sanitized workspaces becomes a rediscovery of faith in oneself. As Ms. Shoen befriends Lettice, she opens herself to the possibility of an artistic and creative life and she blossoms. Lettice is the heroine of our times. An original. A person so completely themselves that she dares you to do the same.
It’s an utterly charming play, full of character and hilarious speeches and truly beautiful moments.
Although Dame Maggie Smith originated this wonderfully funny and heartfelt role, and you can certainly hear the echoes of her throughout, there is room to make Lettice your own if an actor so chooses. Michele Shultz is such an actor, and she gives Lettice a sweetness, a lostness, and yet she is still strong, determined to somehow be herself no matter what. Ms. Shoen is played with a tender rigidity by the compelling Roberta Fasso-Locke, who fills Shoen with dignity and tempers her Germanic leanings. Mr. Bardolph, the historian narc, is played with a lovely temper by Ray Mainenti and Ms. Shoen’s assistant, Miss Framer, is silly and delightful thanks to Anna Booher. There is also a cat, although I’m not certain it wasn’t a stuffed toy. Regardless, it played its part brilliantly.
Overall, ELATE’s version of this wonderful and well-loved English play is excellent. They do not fear the accent and the humor and the result of all their efforts is well worth your time! Bravo indeed!!
Tickets:
https://events.ticketleap.com/tickets/elate-1094460696/lettice-and-lovage
When:
April 17-May 3
Fridays and Saturdays at 8pm, Sundays at 2pm
Where:
Emmanuel Lutheran Church
6020 Radford Ave, North Hollywood