AISLE SAY Florida
THE CONSTANT WIFE
by Somerset Maugham
Directed by Mark Rucker
Asolo Repertory Theatre in FSU
Center
for Performing Arts, Mertz Theatre
5555 N. Tamiami Tr., Sarasota;
(941) 351-8000
In repertory Dec. 7, Õ07 to March 12, Õ08
Reviewed by Marie J. Kilker
Sparkling repartee and sassy reversals in this
drawing room comedy of manners puts Maugham in the company of Wycherly, Wilde, Coward and close to meeting their standards. In the
London of 80 years ago, Constance and John Middleton project the image of a
perfect love-match in an upper-class marriage. But gathered in their flowery
parlor, those close to Constance (lovely, sophisticated Dana Green) bemoan her ignorance of her surgeon-husbandÕs
affair with her best friend. Her sharp-tongued sister Martha (Jessie Blue
Gormezano, looking always out of
Vogue) wants to shame John by telling Constance and letting her recriminate
against him. Their mother, old-guard Mrs. Culver (Carolyn Michel, keeping a stiff upper lip and a cool head under
extravagant hats), thinks women should make the best of marriage, accepting
menÕs inevitable infidelities. Widowed Barbara (self-assured Sameerah
Luqmaan-Harris), a happy,
successful businesswoman, would love to have her friend Constance out of the
manor to work with her.
From foreign lands, ConstanceÕs old fiancˇ Bernard
(stalwart John Preston)
reappears, with stars in his eyes still lovingly focused on her. ItÕs time for
her to admit how hard sheÕs worked to keep secret her knowledge of JohnÕs
affair, what with Martha so ready to publicly disgrace him. SheÕs even covered
up for John and Marie Louise (Julie Lachance, typically blond and flighty), when the latterÕs
husband Mortimer thinks heÕs found evidence of their latest fling. (Douglas
Jones begins in a screaming huff
and ends in screamingly funny remorse.) As John, Bryan Torfeh is the epitome of a straying husband, thinking
his pathÕs been made straight. GreenÕs
impressive Constance, however, is not ready to keep him completely off
the hook. Not to be dependent on John (or, for that matter, Bernard—whoÕs
proposed to her), sheÕs going to join Barbara, working as an interior
decorator.
A year later, a complete change in Constance is
reflected in the transformation of her traditional parlor to a mainly white and
silver dˇcor with vanilla modern furniture, satin couch, fireplace. (Eric
FlatmoÕs scenic designs are a
marvel. Katherine Roth dresses
Constance in white chiffon with long pearls, culmination of a parade of
stylish, colorful ensembles for the cast.) As friends and family gather, and Marie Louise returns from
a trip and set on a new young conquest, Constance tells to all what sheÕs going
to do with her Economic Freedom, her favorite thing. Bernard figures in on it
but pretends heÕs not in a hilarious reminder of the cover-up at the playÕs
opening. However much he frets, John does not have the last laugh. The
audienceÕs, though, is hearty for this satisfying production of a clever
comedy.
Stage Manager: Juanita Mumford; Assistant Director: Jennifer Sassaman; Sound: Matthew Parker; Lighting: James D. Sale.
Time: 2 hrs., 30 mins. w/2 intervals.