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Man behaving bawdy! Theater lovers shouldn’t ask to be excused from this ‘Table’...
SAN RAFAEL RARE COIN COMPANY
Since 1973
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by Le e Brady
T
able Manners, playwright Alan Ayck- diculous, but the emotions come through bourn’s clever drawing-room comedy, enough to be touching. directed by longtime fan Robert WilSet designer David Apple creates a son, shows off the Ross Valsolid country house feel, ley Players at their best. The with several doors for the NOW PLAYING attractive ďŹ ve-member cast in-and-out action, while Table Manners runs has fun in this comedy as Bruce Vieira’s radio show through Aug. 14 at the Ross each moves through sexual keeps the set changes Valley Players Barn Theatre, situations that titillate but amusing. Michael Berg’s Marin Art & Garden Center, never consummate. Ayckcostumes clearly deďŹ ne Ross; 415/456-9555 www. bourn’s script is entertainthe characters: Norman’s rossvalleyplayers.com ing, but not so edgy as to pj’s, Reg’s golf wear and make summer theatergoers Annie’s big change from at the Barn uncomfortable. dowdy to attractive. As one of the three plays that make up The Table Manners has Ayckbourn’s usual witty Norman Conquests (all happen at the same dialogue and, as delivered by this attractive time in different areas during a weekend cast, assures audiences of a pleasant evening house party), this one takes place in the dinof summer theater. ✚ ing room where bumbling cock Norman (Joseph Hoeber) creates chaos among the hens as he seduces both his sisters-in-law, upright mother/housewife Sarah (Pamela Ciochetti) and frustrated spinster Annie (Monique Sims). Even his sharp-tongued wife, Ruth (Robyn Wiley), can’t resist him. And it isn’t as if Norman is super-attractive: He’s slight, balding and an assistant librarian. But he is ďŹ lled with a lust for life, he likes women and he wants to make them happy. Sarah’s husband, Reg (Robin Schild), is bored. He’d much rather be living at his childhood home—marriage to Sarah isn’t nearly as satisfying as making model airplanes in his bedroom. Schild’s Reg is a big appealing boy; we wait for his childish unhappiness to boil over. It does. Annie’s suitor, the veterinarian Tom (Chris Hammond), doesn’t have a boiling point; he gets more excited over an injured cat’s paw than Annie’s (aborted) plan to go away with Norman for the weekend. Comedy of ‘Manners’: Not only is Norman an elbows-onWiley’s Ruth is cool but bitter; she may the-table kind of guy, he chews with his mouth open! be nearsighted but she sees her husband all too clearly. The actors deliver their Critique this review in TownSquare, at lines for laughs, and the situation is ri›› paciďŹ csun.com
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The Ross Valley Players Presents
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MET8775XS MDB8959AWS
by Alan Ayckbourn Directed by Robert Wilson
July 15 to Aug 14, 2011
Barry Willis, Marin IJ
Buy Tickets Online: rossvalleyplayers.com or call 415-456-9555 $15-$25 The Barn Theatre, Marin Art & Garden Center, Sir Francis Drake Blvd. at Lagunitas, Ross
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454-2021
ĂœĂœĂœÂ°Â“>Ă€ĂŒÂˆÂ˜Â‡Â…>Ă€Ă€ÂˆĂƒÂ°Vœ“ JULY 29 - AUGUST 4, 2011 PACIFIC SUN 17