The WILMA THEATER invites you to meet the "odd women" in the AGE OF AROUSAL

Theater Name: The Wilma Theater
Show Name: Age Of Arousal
Reviewer: Arnie Finkel
Opening Night: December 12, 2007
Seen: December 12, 2007
Submitted: December 13, 2007

"I don’t approve of the way you approve of us.” –Mary Martello as Mary Barfoot in The Wilma Theater’s inventive production of THE AGE OF AROUSAL. The always delightful Mary Martello is but one of a delightful ensemble of actors who bring playwright Linda Griffith’s thought provoking comedy to life in its USA debut. Ms. Griffiths says her play is “wildly inspired” by George Gissing’s 1890’s novel THE ODD WOMEN.

The others in the cast, Monique Fowler, Krista Hoeppner, Larisa Polonsky, Roxanne Wellington and Eric Martin Brown, are more than equal to the task of playing their parts with just the right touch.

AGE OF AROUSAL takes place in London in 1885, just as England was emerging from the strictures of the Victorian Age. A surplus of half a million or more women, found themselves “odd women”; “odd” as in an odd or unmatched sock in your sock drawer. These women had to find a way to support themselves. The traditional ways, as wife, governess or teacher, were being subjected to higher standards. Mary Barfoot and her protégé, Rhoda Nunn have founded a school to teach women to be secretaries as a means to gain independence and a living wage. Mary accepts the three Madden sisters as pupils and, thereby, sets off the plot. The appearance of Mary’s nephew is a complication, as is the very nature of her new students.

The dialogue is witty and spicy. The characters all speak their thoughts aloud (sometimes in the middle of a sentence), so that the audience is aware of not only what they are saying but the subtext of their feelings is revealed. This “thoughtspeak” is a wonderful device and is used to great effect. The overlapping of speeches gave the play a rhythm and, at times, as in the opening of the Second Act, an almost musical feeling.

Troy Herion composed music that added an excellent dimension to the script–particularly in the first scene in which the typewriters were underscored. I was impressed with the use of slides between what is an episodic script. They functioned as chapter headings and as a bridge between scenes. These and other well done visual effects were designed by Matthew Saunders and Jorge Cousineau.

The set is a marvel of sliding panels and wagon roll-ons. With flower drops and the predominant red walls, the action was allowed to flow unimpeded. Costume designer Janus Stefanowicz must have delighted in having the period to work in because they were wonderful.

Director Blanka Zizka has the pace moving along at the same time giving the comedy the emphasis it deserves. , The Act One closing scene with all the ladies fainting in different styles, was just about perfect.

AGE OF AROUSAL poses many questions; how different are things today for the “odd women” among us? what is the price of independence?, has the role of women in business changed enough?, can women remain friends when a man comes between them?.

George Bernard Shaw believed that you challenge what is and bring about change with comedy. If you want to have laughs,and there are many here, and come away with something to think about, AGE OF AROUSAL is just your cup of tea. It runs at the Wilma until January 6th.