"Charley's Aunt"

August 5, 2015 — For the fourth time, The Peterborough Players in Peterborough, New Hampshire, offered "Charlie's Aunt" by Brandon Thomas, a highly popular play ever since it first opened in London in 1892. Almost everyone has heard of it. I was seeing it for the first time. It's a hilarious farce where the laughs are non-stop.

Jack (Steven Walters) and Charley (Alex Bodine) are rehearsing how they're going to declare their love for Kitty (Karen Peakes) and Amy (Alycia Kunkle). But first, they have to get them alone. This is dependent on Charley's aunt, Donna Lucia d'Alvadorez, a rich widow (Lisa Bostnar), arriving from Brazil to act as the girls' chaperone before they can be in the presence of the two young men. This is 19th Century England, after all. Their plans appear to be dashed when they get word Charley's aunt has been delayed indefinitely, and the girls are scheduled to leave for Scotland the next day with Stephen Spettigue (Michael Page, in one of his patented curmudgeonly, sputtering roles), uncle of Amy and guardian of Kitty.

Enter Lord Fancourt Babberley (Kraig Swartz, perfectly cast in a role that seems made for him). While visiting Jack and Charley, he leaves the room to try on a costume he's wearing in a play he's appearing in. The costume happens to be a woman's black gown with white lace and a wig. This may be the solution to Jack and Charley's dilemma. They convince the reluctant Babberley he can pose as Charley's aunt. Are you following this so far?

Many complications ensue, all uproarious. Colonel Sir Francis Chesney, Jack's father (Patrick Reynolds), bankrupt after paying off his debts, is urged to seek Charley's millionaire aunt's hand in marriage. Unfortunately, Spettigue has the same designs on her (him). Things get even more interesting when Charley's real aunt shows up while Babberley is still impersonating her. The real aunt plays along with the charade, at least temporarily. If that isn't enough, Charley's real aunt is accompanied by her adopted niece (Bridget Beirne) a former love interest of Babberley's.

I should also mention Tom Frey as the butler, Brassett, a small role but not an insignificant one. This production was directed by Charles Morey. Scenic designer Roger Hanna's work earned a round of applause when a completely new set was revealed when the curtain rose on the third act.