Audience members left Dirty Rotten Scoundrels still chuckling – though pensive.
Maybe the life of a dirty, rotten scoundrel isn’t so bad. As seen in this production, it was a great deal of fun, very little hard work, and a lot of luxury. Time for a lifestyle change?
Drayton Entertainment’s grand production of Dirty Rotten Scoundrels would be enough to make anyone switch. With props and wardrobe literally transported from the New York City set of the original production starring John Lithgow, this musical comedy is a fabulous spectacle.
Artistic Director Alex Mustakas artfully directed the performance after managing “small town” theatre company with all of its charm intact.
The scoundrels in question, who really shouldn’t be excused, make their living by swindling wealthy women out of their riches. Two tricksters, one big time and one small time meet, trade dastardly designs and eventually compete in a “con”-test to see who can be the first to cheat a lady of $50,000.
Hovering in the background, silent as a circling vulture, is the image of the greatest of all con men, known only as The Jackal.
“Big-time” is the dapper Lawrence Jameson, working the French Riviera as a deposed prince. Jameson is expertly played by Brian McKay with all of the airs, graces, and accents of a fabulous fop winding down. Noble and tragic, with a touch of game show host in his calculated demeanour, jewels and money fall into his hands in his plea to regain the throne.
“Small-time” is Freddy Benson, who comes up with less original schemes such as the old grandmother-needs-an-operation ploy. Stephen Patterson is naturally talented in the role and provides a most hilarious highlight when posing as Lawrence’s depraved younger brother, Ruprecht (“when a wisp of DNA begins to fray, then goes astray”).
In an effort to shake down a redneck oil heiress, played with relish and charisma by Christy Adamson, Benson takes his ill-bred manner to a new low with unabashed gusto, and the audience gives a very big hoot.
Their victim, played by Heather McGuigan, is perfect with her overblown gushiness. Her duet with Freddy in Nothing is Too Wonderful to be True is one of the many silly but got-to-love-them songs in the show.
Of course, as in all good theatre, there are plot twists and turns that will delight the audience.
Two players adding a lot of class to the production are Drayton favourite Rebecca Poff as Muriel, a wealthy divorcee and recurring target for Lawrence, along with his cohort, Andre, posing French and charming, by Patrick Brown. The audience hopes she just may make an honest man of him.
Ensemble members perform a lively variety of supporting roles, including the merrily gratuitous dance numbers well choreographed by Jackie Mustakas. Those performers lend much beauty and energy to the show.
The sets and costumes are eye candy. Jameson’s mansion and the hotel portray opulence and grandeur with the tapestries, gilded balconies, and ornate furniture. The clothing and shoe enthusiasts in the audience will appreciate those garments, along with the “Louis Vuitton” luggage and other evidence of big name designers straight from the New York City stash.
Based on the 1988 movie with Michael Caine and Steve Martin, Dirty Rotten Scoundrels takes on a spectacular new life in St. Jacobs that has audiences laughing and twisting its mustaches.
Dirty Rotten Scoundrels plays eight shows a week through July 12. Tickets are going fast: call the box office at 519-747-7788 or toll free at 1-888-449-4463. Visit www.stjacobscountryplayhouse.com.
