Well, the final production in the 2017/18 Village Players season is now on stage, ending with another farcical comedy. The story line for Perfect Wedding begins when a bridegroom wakes up in his bridal suite with a hangover on the morning he’s about to be married, and turns to the woman in bed beside him . . . and he hasn’t the faintest recollection who she is…and he does recall that his bride-to-be is about to arrive any moment. During the ensuing panic to get the stranger dressed and out of the way, the bride arrives, the woman is trapped in the bathroom, and the best man gets pressed into action – at considerable risk to his own happiness. By the time the bride’s mother gets in on the act, the chaos reaches hysterical (and hilarious) proportions! A bedroom farce in the best tradition.

SNAPSHOT REVIEW

This is a typical “who’s on first” Abbott and Costello type of story line that captures the audience attention right from the get go. The quick one liners as the actors come and go throughout the production must be followed closely if you want to keep up with all the shenanigans.

Matthew Martineau handles the main character;s role of Bill with wonderful wit, marking his return to the Village Players stage after he first appeared a decade previously. He is joined by some emerging talent, taking the stage here for their first time, including his best man Tom (Cam Parkes), Tom’s girlfriend Judy (Jocelyn Feltham), and his often confused wife-to-be, Rachel (Madeleine Swinkin). Each actor remains focused, which is much needed in order to carry off their lines well, recognizing when and where to project their voices for utmost effect on the audience. This is no easy task, as the whole story is an entangled web of lies, name changes, and the old adage, nothing is quite like it seems.

However, it is actress Rebekka Gondosch (Julie, the chambermaid) who comes off as the strongest light on stage. Her wit and mannerisms had the audience giggling right from the get go, and to top it off, her Irish accent adds just that much more to the character role. Gondosch actually steals the show on several occasions, including at the end as she’s the last of the cast to leave the stage, then turns around and gives one quick wink to the audience!

This is a wonderful production to end the season, and there’s still plenty of shows left for you to catch it.

The 2018/19 season has also been announced, and includes: Crimes of the Heart, Anybody for Murder, Moonlight and Magnolias, Late Company, and Unnecessary Farce.

PERFECT WEDDING by Robin Hawdon 
Directed by Anne Harper
Runs April 27 to May 19, 2018
Bloor West Village Playhouse
(2190E Bloor Street West, just east of Runnymede Station)
Buy a ticket online or call 416-767-7702.

Show times and dates:
Friday, April 27, 2018 at 8:00 pm (Opening Night Reception)
Saturday, April 28, 2018 at 8:00 pm
Wednesday, May 2, 2018 at 8:00 pm
Thursday, May 3, 2018 at 8:00 pm
Friday, May 4, 2018 at 8:00 pm
Saturday, May 5, 2018 at 8:00 pm
Sunday, May 6, 2018 at 2:00 pm [waiting list only]
Thursday, May 10, 2018 at 8:00 pm
Friday, May 11, 2018 at 8:00 pm
Saturday, May 12, 2018 at 8:00 pm
Sunday, May 13, 2018 at 2:00 pm
Thursday, May 17, 2018 at 8:00 pm (Talk-Back Night)
Friday, May 18, 2018 at 8:00 pm
Saturday, May 19, 2018 at 8:00 pm (Closing Night)

CAST:
Matthew Martineau as Bill
Jocelyn Feltham as Judy
Cam Parkes as Tom
Madeleine Swinkin as Rachel
Rebekka Gondosch as Julie
Gloria Lambert as Daphne

PRODUCTION TEAM:
Producers: Rosemary McGillivray, Emma Borsa
Stage Manager: Connie Van Leeuwen, Susan Poole (back-up)
Set Design, Head Painter: Julie Rush
Costume Design: Viola Frazier
Lighting design: Lisa Van Oorschot 
Sound Design: Christopher Ford
Poster design: Mike Coffey 
Props: Evelyn Clarke, Dominique Larose 
Photography: Dave A Fitzpatrick

 

About the Author

Bryen Dunn is a freelance journalist with a focus on travel, lifestyle, entertainment and hospitality. He has an extensive portfolio of celebrity interviews with musicians, actors and other public personalities. He enjoys discovering delicious eats, tasting spirited treats, and being mesmerized by musical beats.