The Mystery of Irma Vep – currently on the main stage at Berkshire Theatre Group in Stockbridge, Massachusetts – is subtitled: A Penny Dreadful. A quick look in Google offers that Penny Dreadful was the title of a series of stories published in London in the 19th Century. Printed once over a few weeks, they each cost a penny. They were described as escapist readings for working-class boys.
The stories – and this mystery – were set in haunted manor houses – located on the moors, of course-- wherein an unsolved murder had taken place. With no explanation or evidence of human involvement, suspicion has fallen upon werewolves, vampires that roamed the estate, or any one of assorted ghoulish characters that interacted with the residents of the manor house.
“Interact” is the operative word that describes this production of The Mystery of Irma Vep.
This is a two-actor play, with the duo portraying eight individual characters…both male and female. A quick change of costume, wigs, make-up, posture, walk and voice…there they are back on stage. Yes, eight characters, if you include an Egyptian mummy.
There is also a plot…sort of. There was an Irma Vep – the beloved Lady Hillcrest, mistress of the estate – remembered now by a life-like portrait that hangs over the fireplace. Her dark eyes pierce the bleakness of the manor house, as she watches the proceedings of those trying to explain her mysterious death. Her widower husband, Lord Hillcrest, has brought a new wife to the estate. She is greeted – but not necessarily welcomed – by the staff of two: the long-time devoted housekeeper, and the elderly man who maintains the grounds and looks after the live stock.
Yes it’s zany…but wonderfully zany in a way that is both amusing and amazing. Bewitching double entendres and puns abound. But the true fascination is an actor’s appearance on stage as one character…then the exit…and then within seconds, a reappearance as a different character in full costume, etc. One has to see it. “Phenomenal” only begins to describe this oft-repeated transformation.
The Mystery of Irma Vep was written by the late Charles Ludlum, and is performed by Bill Bower and Tom Hewitt. This production was directed by Aaron Mark, who – quoted in a press release – said: “When the idea of Tom, Bill, and I doing this play came up, I watched them read the play cold. It was funnier and scarier that I thought it was possible.” Actors Bower and Hewitt are superb…at all times skillfully and consistently portraying their diverse characters.
This is a polished production. The multiple settings by Randall Parsons and the costumes designed by Wade Laboissonniere…both help convey the period and the place. Add to those elements: original music by Our Lady J, and sound engineered by Brendan Doyle...and most important…the frenetic pace of the staging by director Mark…everything comes together for an entertaining theater experience.
Certainly during those early production discussions, one of the actors must have commented: “If we decide to do this weird play, we’ll be laughed out of the theater.” And he was right. It’s an audience-pleasing, romp…well suited to a summer evening.
The Mystery of Irma Vep: A Penny Dreadful runs now through July 19 on the Fizpatrick Main Stage of Berkshire Theatre Group, in Stockbridge, Massachusetts.
Herbert Wolff studied under the guidance of Lee Strasberg and subsequently had roles with summer theater companies in upstate New York and on “live” television.He is former vice president of International Television Association and former Chairman of Massachusetts Advisory Council on Scientific and Technical Education. Herb continues to write, direct and appear in stage plays. For 25 years he has been the on-air reviewer of theater and opera productions for WAMC/Northeast Public Radio.
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