The Things Some People Do For Love

 

LOS ANGELES, CA - For an evening of sheer laughter and an occasional poignant moment, be sure not to miss Odyssey Theatre Ensemble's hysterically funny Things We Do For Love.  Written by British playwright Alan Ayckbourn, the cast did a fabulous job bringing a touch of English life to this delightful comedy about love and the pain that often accompanies it.

     

The play is directed by Barry Philips who very cleverly split the action between three flats on three different levels.  Much of the humor derives from the imagination of what is taking place out of sight. Whether seeing the feet of the bed shaking from a wild romp or the shock on the actors' faces when viewing a 20 foot fresco of a naked woman, the audience is completely drawn into the moment.

   

Playing the humorous, yet emotionally complex character of Barbara (Barbs) is Stephanie Nash.  Her performance is outstanding and worthy of very high praise.  Equally engaging is her childhood friend Nikki, played by Caitlyn Shannon, who seems to break out into the old "school song" whenever she is in Barb's presence.  Greg Mullavey brings to life the charming handyman: Barb's secret admirer  named Gilbert.  While certainly the kindest and most helpful person in the cast,  he has an slight weakness for the bottle and wearing women's clothing.  The handsome James Tupper, portraying Nikki's fiancé Hamish, seems to be able to win the heart of any woman he comes into to contact with.  This play is a true modern English farce and is worth seeing.  - A. Thomas

   


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