When I was kindly invited to see Samuel and Bella Spewack’s My Three Angels at the Metro Theatre, I had visions of haloes and cherubins, pine trees and roaring fires — perhaps a play that would end in “It’s a Christmas miracle!” (and then some figgy pudding). What I found instead was a big surprise: set in a colonial household in the toasty French Giuana of 1910, there were no cherubins or haloes of the sort that I expected. Instead there was a good-natured little family, muddling through, making the best of things while living in a neighborhood of convicts.
Before I go on about the story, I must say that the set, costume and make up — especially that of the female characters in the play — were done so realistically that I thought I was looking at creatures from antiquity. The set and all its effects made me feel like I was in a warmer place — which is not only a feat but a blessing during this chilly November. Thanks to the whole production team for depicting the early 20th century so vividly.
(An aside: While I’m not an expert of history, my father can vouch for the historical accuracy of the colonial set design. I didn’t even recognize some of the instruments that make up the set. During intermission my dad was able to tell me what some of these unidentifiable objects were, such as the thermometer and barometer on the wall — he says he recognized it and other objects from his childhood home 50 years ago. It always amazes me to see the curious gadgets of old that were commonplace then.)
Things start happening in the Ducotel household when three convicts, who are mending the roof, appear and make such an eloquent impression on the family that they must stay for dinner. Everyone who meets this trio is immediately disarmed; charmed despite themselves, and we the audience know that this is the one night of the year where the rules of reality (and perhaps even morality) are bendable. And thank goodness they are, because reality needs bending on Christmas Eve: the Ducotel family is in trouble, a Scroogey cousin is coming to town, and it looks like Marie Louise may be broken-hearted before dawn.
During their one-night hiatus from the Bastille, Monsieurs Jules, Joseph, and Alfred lead the audience with bumbling grace around the obstacles to the Ductoel family’s happiness. Their endearing good-will is infectious. Though the play is highly comedic, it lightly raises questions about right and wrong, us and them, leaving the audience to resolve them. My favourite part of the play was the faux trial solemnly conducted by the three ‘angels’, complete with Texan accents and arcane legalese.
Thanks to Director Alison Jopson for this fun, unusual Christmas play. Thanks also to the actors, and all members of the crew, for their enjoyable performance. Notable faces in the cast include Tom Kavandias (Felix Ducotel), Michelle Collier (Emilie Ducotel), Iris Gittens (Madame Parole), Candice-May Langlois (Marie Louise Ducotel), Tim Ralphs (Jules), Mike Runte (Joseph), Robson Baker (Alfred) Hamish Cameron (Henri Trochard), Kris Michaleski (Paul) and Christopher Dellinger (Lieutenant).
You can see Samuel and Bella Spewack’s My Three Angels at the Metro Theatre from Thursday to Saturday at 8 pm until December 3, with a 2 pm matinee on Sunday November 27, 2011.
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