Moon, played by Stuart Nicholson, watched the audience file in from his own private critic’s box. He silently took everyone in, occasionally peering down at his playbill. When the lights finally went down, the real Nicholson was joined by the fictional Birdboot, played by Elton Bradley. The set was gorgeous, a huge living room with a portrait of a man who looked eerily similar to Bruce Campbell hung above the fireplace,all attached to an ornate critic’s box that became flooded with yellow light.
It became clear that the two actors were portraying theatre critics just in to review a new show called “The Real Inspector Hound.” While the action of the play takes place we get Birdboot and Moon’s ever present commentary. The absurdist play within a play is certainly not everyone’s cup of tea. If you want a show set in reality, or a whodunit with an ending that you can actually surmise, then “The Real Inspector Hound” is not for you. However if you like weird and funny, dialogue heavy, absurdist productions, then this is the show for you.
Nicholson’s portrayal of the intensely jealous Moon was extremely entertaining. His was not a slow descent into madness but rather a madness that was there from the very first time he is asked about his dreaded superior, Higgs. Despite Nicholson’s wonderful portrayal of a madman he stills manages to be the character that we as an audience relate to the most. His chemistry with Bradley is great; the character development is so strong that we can certainly envision the two of them having many evenings in the theatre together just like this one, but with a slightly different ending.
Speaking of Moon’s right hand man, Bradley’s interpretation of Birdboot is well thought out and hilarious. A hopeless womanizer who seems to truly love his wife, despite mounting evidence to the contrary, Bradley’s ability to be aggravating yet slightly lovable is a gift and his consistently perplexed facial expressions were a subtle highlight of the show.
The object of Birdboot’s current affection is Cynthia Muldoon, played by Kasey Gliszcynski. Gliszcynski’s portrayal of the young widow Muldoon is funny but sometimes fell a bit flat, however as she was playing one of the play within the play characters it can be assumed that this was a choice. When she first arrived on stage in her blue ball gown Birdboot, and the rest of the audience, are totally taken aback by her beauty and the pageantry of her ornate costume. Unfortunately for the costume department they seemed to focus more on fashion than they did fit and Gliszcynski was stuck in a gown that looked like it may have resulted in a wardrobe malfunction at any moment.
Joining Ms. Muldoon in her secluded country home are Felicity Cunningham, played by Jordan Howell, and Magnus, played by Travis Poole. Howell’s hyper stylized portrayal of the bitter Cunningham was completely on the mark. In particular her replicated scene with a tennis racket
was pitch perfect and hilarious. Poole had some of the best physical bits in the whole production, which isn’t easy for a character bound in a wheel chair.
Lorin Turner played Mrs. Drudge, Muldoon Manor’s elderly housekeeper. Turner may have been the breakout star of the entire production. Never once did she break her character’s specific physicality or voice. Turner had the audience rolling with just one look. Her ability to silently convey emotions was outstanding.
Inspector Hound, played by Jimmy Mello, and Simon Gascoyne, played by Garrett Reese, were the visitors to Muldoon Manor. Reese was not onstage very long but did manage to make enough of an impression with his energy. Mello plays the titular character who turns out to be less pivotal than one might think. Still, his stage presence is a force to be reckoned with. Mello trips all over the stage leaving the audience in stiches.
“The Real Inspector Hound” is a confusing, fun, hilarious mess, full of characters and actors you won’t soon forget. It will certainly be a show you will be discussing long after it has ended. This weekend is your last chance to catch the absurdist comedy and see for yourself if you can figure out, whodunit?
