For a play that was originally banned for 171 years, I have to say people after the Restoration period were missing out on a slapstick presentation that is sure to appeal to just about anyone.
“The Country Wife” is set in London in 1675 and is essentially a comedy about sex. In fact, the genre is considered a “restoration sex comedy” that is has all sorts of innuendos scattered throughout the entire play. And if that doesn’t tickle your fancy, there is a glorified scene that gives the illusion of an actor (Nicholas Dean Irion) and actress (Jamy Gillespie) doing the dirty behind a sheer backdrop.
One thing I specifically adored about the show was how the characters were cast. I honestly think everyone fit their part perfectly. With all of the accents spoken in olden English it was hard to grasp every single line they were saying, but their movements and facial expressions didn’t make my mind wonder whatsoever.
Alongside the actors and actresses themselves, I have to commend the way the cast and crew conducted their scene changes. Think of a dance party or a rave and that’s basically the quintessential equivalence of what took place. I thought they were choreographed so well it made them interesting, and the modern music made me want to foreshadow what would happen in the next scene.
Overall, the entire cast was beyond entertaining. The costumes, the wigs, and the makeup all added the perfect touches to certain characters. The three main characters that sparked my interest the most were Horner (Irion), Pinchwife (Randall Rapstine), and Margery Pinchwife (Alicia Jade Geurin).
Harry Horner (Irion) is the ultimate womanizer. I’ll be the one to say that he probably invented the term himself. From his beginning monologue at the start of the show until the very last scene it is apparent that Horner thinks he’s all that and a bag of chips. Horner has one goal in particularly: to seduce as many respectable ladies in town as humanly possible. WHAT A SKEEZ. What’s even more ballsy of him is that these women have husbands. Does he care? Of course not. All of the husbands end up being ‘cuckolded’ throughout the entire play. Also, ‘cuckold’ is used just as much in “The Country Wife” as the ‘N-word’ is used in “Django Unchained.”
Pinchwife (Rapstine) was probably my favorite cast member, hands down. His mannerisms and the way he truly acted was so entertaining. Through out the play Pinchwife’s goal is to not have his new wife, Margery Pinchwife (Geurin), paid attention to by any men in town. Margery is from the country and very naïve to just about everything she encounters. The two characters interacted so well with each other. Margery is young, vibrant, and described as “silly” by her husband. Pinchwife is an older, middle-aged gentlemen who would rather give his sister away than have someone even glance in his new country wife’s direction. The only problem is, Margery is not in love with her husband. After being introduced to her new life in the city, the country girl is ready to be introduced to anything and everything in her new uptown world … especially the men.
I’ll leave out the rest of the dirty details, but I highly recommend attending this sexual drama full of lies, deceit, and lust. It is directed by Bruce Hermann, stage managed by Becca Venable, set design by Matt Plummer, lighting design by Emmett Buhmann, and costume design by Melissa Merz. The comedy will be going on from April 25-28. Curtain times for Mainstage 2012-2013 plays are 8 p.m. Wednesday through Saturdays and 2 p.m. on Sundays. Tickets are $18 for individuals; $5 for students with a valid ID. Free student rush tickets are available on a limited basis to Texas Tech students. All performances are in the Maedgen Mainstage Theatre (east entrance), located on 18th Street between Boston and Flint Avenues. Call (806) 742-3603 for tickets and information.
About Lauren Estlinbaum
