The Blonde, Brunette and Redhead
Lucy Peacock Shines in Vancouver Playhouse's Production
Robert Hewitt makes a splash in The Blonde, The Brunette and The Vengeful Redhead at the Vancouver Playhouse Theatre.
The wailing noise that opens Robert Hewitt’s The Blonde, the Brunette and the Vengeful Redheadmakes for an unusual introduction. But from there Lucy Peacock takes off into seven different characters in the Vancouver Playhouse Company’s newest play.
Tackling a role as juicy as the ones Robert Hewitt writes is challenge enough, but Canadian actress Lucy Peacock is the only person on stage for the duration of the two-hour production. The audience is treated to several distinctly different characters that manage to be fleshed out.
Being a fourth generation actress on her mother’s side might have helped her undertake this large feet. A unique and reverberating stage presence was noticeable each time she changed roles. It was a truly remarkable performance.
Rhonda begins by wooing the audience in with her tale of a cheating husband and the revenge she was forced to take- the red handkerchief takes on a whole other meaning after the first half an hour.
By the time she’s through, her account is of a 17-year marriage ending abruptly one day when her husband decides to leave her. But then her best friend Lynette takes the stage and bits of leftover evidence begin trickling in.
Meeting Dr. Alex Doucette adds another layer to the story as she establishes the relationship with her partner, Christine. When 4-year-old Matthew McKinnon propels on stage, the play takes on a weightier load.
Adding to the comic mix appears Graham, the appalling husband who has left Rhonda, probably for another woman. The acting here is especially spot on and it’s great fun to watch Ms. Peacock revel in her business suit.
The Blonde, of course, is the "other woman," who stirs up some more enjoyable laughter. By now the story is told from all sides and a very different picture has emerged.
Between all of these sets is a short slideshow of images on a screen, giving the audience a look at the people and places referred to. Meanwhile, Ms. Peacock is below the screen changing personas: with a lit up screen highlighting her silhouette, viewers watch her become the next character.
Not only are the staging, lighting and set up stimulating, but it fills the stage so that one actor really is enough. The intelligent humour and superb acting make this a wonderful show to see.
The Blonde, the Brunette and the Vengeful Redhead
- Vancouver Playhouse Theatre
- Downtown Vancouver on the corner of Hamilton and Dunsmuir Streets
- January 12-February 2, 2008
- Tickets: (604) 873-3311
