Bell, Book and Candle

a Production of the Perth Classic  Theatre Festival

By John van Druten

Classic Theatre Festival, Perth

July 8 to 31, 2011

Director: Laurel Smith

Set: Margaret Coderre-Williams

Lights: David Magladry

Costumes: Sarah Waghorn

Cast:

Gillian Holroyd……………………Erica Wood

Shepherd Henderson………………Scott Maudsley

Queenie Holroyd…………………..Catherine Bruce

Sidney Redlitch…………………….Allan Price

Nicky Holroyd……………………..Zach Counsil

with Pyewacket the Familiar

 Reviewed by IRis Winston

The magic of love trumps sorcery in John van Druten’s 1950 comedy about a romance between a witch and a mere mortal.

The popularity of witchcraft is undeniable (think of the reaction to the latest Harry Potter movie, for instance). So, whether Bell, Book and Candle is viewed as a tale about a clash of cultures, a story of an outsider looking in or simply as a sit-com/love story with a bewitching twist, it is an excellent choice of light summer entertainment.

Set against a tableau of a strikingly appropriate selection of music, the Classic Theatre Festival production of Bell, Book and Candle, directed by Laurel Smith, takes care to honour the period when it was first performed. This return to the 1950s also brings back a well-structured play with a logical progression and a satisfying ending.

Gillian Holroyd, a witch slightly bored with life and hankering for normality, decides to cast a spell on her upstairs neighbour when she discovers that he is engaged to the nemesis of her college days. As well as having to deal with interference from her warlock brother Nicky and her witch aunt Queenie, Gillian has to cope with the unforeseen power that love can have, even on the one who casts the spells.

As Gillian, Erica Wood is…well…bewitching, as she moves from being a witch with considerable powers to a lovelorn being certain that she will never have the man she loves.

As her love interest, Shep Henderson, Scott Maudsley delivers a solid counterpoint. He is, after all, being swept along by forces beyond his control.

Magic frequently determines the actions of the other three characters. Author Sidney Redlitch (Allan Price) is magically brought to the scene. Aunt Queenie (a little too much of a caricature as presented by Catherine Bruce) is compelled to tell Shep the truth about her niece. Meanwhile, Zach Counsil, as Gillian’s brother Nicky, casts spells with a smile, style and apparent relish.

Though not entirely magical, this production of Bell, Book and Candle does have considerable charm.

The Classic Theatre Festival production of Bell, Book and Candle continues to July 31.

P.S. Gillian is generally pronounced with a soft “g.”

Reveiwed by Iris  Winston,Ottawa

July 19, 2011

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