The Cottage was inspired by Noel Coward’s type of comedy, but Sandy Rustin’s is particularly a farce set in a typical Coward atmosphere and time with bits and pieces imitating his practices. And what a farce—borrowing from just about every one you ever loved from Oscar Wilde’s skewing of manners to the silliness of Noises Off! No matter that the play confuses a lot of loves. Won’t you want them all figured out while you can’t resist laughing at how? In an elaborately furnished-for-show and over-decorated English country “cottage,” Sylvia Is having an affair with her brother-in-law Beau. Now she’s wired hubby Clarke that she’s leaving him to wed Beau. Telegrams put Sylvia at the center of activities of drop-in marrieds and lovers with lots of surprises to reveal and marital arrangements to straighten out. So are characters’ identities and supposed backgrounds. Hanley Smith’s well-controlled Sylvia runs with a considerable amount of punches, never flagging in what becomes a race to determine her future. Greg Balla maintains an elegant style as suitably named Beau. His brother Clarke is his exact opposite, and Drew Hirshfield rightly makes him sympathetic, however silly and straying from his marital vows. Of all the men, Casey Predovic’s Richard, a reputed killer, gains strength through his weakness, both emotional and physical. Casey’s revelation of Richard’s true self is hilarious. Anna Stefanic believably renders Dierdre, who’s involved with two of the male characters, as an insecure, sexy one. How could she get to where she’s looking down the barrel of a rifle? Tracie Lane as Marjorie, appears the most stable of the women, even though she’s wife, lover, and mother-to-be at the same time, a segment of which borders on humorous panic. Doors get a work-out, cigarettes are lit a-plenty with a sexy lighter, and tea is served at every opportunity. Alcohol also has its effects, including getting Dierdre laid out in a sexy position. How shocking as cottage-owner Grandma looks down on all from her portrait (as in The Mystery of Irma Vep) over a strangely located fireplace! If you like comedy and love farce, you’ll find other traces of past ones here, even in the under-window seat used for hiding as in Arsenic and Old Lace.Director Jason Cannon assures no activity is plodding nor reference to other plays (like Hay Fever) obtrusive. His take on the individuality of basically stock characters is reinforced by what Abby Parker has provided for them to wear. From Sylvia’s opening glitter-adorned sheer peignoir over decorated coral-pink short sheath to her matching, mainly black and green traveling outfit including shoes, she’s the star. Even with Dierdre’s showy chiffon challenge! All the tech staff back each moment of the challenging script, a New Play Development Program result. The Cottage is perfect light entertainment to bring to a close FST’s successful summer season. But this farce would have had me laughing with delight at any time, and I think it will have the same effect on you.
