From the ancient Greeks to modern society, when it comes to theatre, our appreciation for comedy is a common thread that links both our worlds.
What makes us laugh? That question has as many answers as there are different types of comedy. Let’s see now, there’s slapstick, satire, absurdist, melodrama, high comedy, dark comedy, commedia dell’arte, and of course there’s farce—both the regular and the bedroom variety.
Carrying on the great comedic theatre tradition Aristophanes began those many 2,000 years ago when Lysistrata led the coalition to end war in Greece (funny stuff back then), the Upper Canada Playhouse opened their riotous production of Cash on Delivery by Michael Cooney, on Saturday, Aug. 8.
By now masters of farce, the company—most of whom are regulars at the playhouse and of the genre—could have illuminated Morriburg and its outlying area with the high-voltage energy performance they belted out, not to mention the electricity created by all the laughter in the audience, would that it could be harnessed.
What makes modern society laugh? Well apparently, when an otherwise fine chap named Eric Swan (played by Jamie Williams) finally gets caught up in his social funds bilking scheme, and must enlist the assistance of two innocent bystanders—his tenant (Sheldon Davis) and uncle (Doug Tangney)—to unscramble his tangled web of lies.
Enter Eric’s wife (Anita La Selva), a doctor (Richard Bauer), a claims worker (Brian Young), a grief councillor (Katie Lawson), an undertaker (Victor Cornfoot), an inspector (Brenda Quesnel), and a fiancé (Lisa Chisholm), who all, in one way or another, contribute to the overall side-splitting silliness that is comedy at its broadest, including a few laughed-’til-I-cried moments. I’m sure Aristophanes would have approved.
Cash on Delivery runs until Aug. 30. For further information call the Upper Canada Playhouse.
CASH delivers comedy
CASH delivers comedy
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