A dark comedy where chaos and laughter ensues around a prize orchid, and where nothing is quite as innocent as it seems. summary
Rating
Good
If there was ever a production which combined the fast-paced action and intensity of a Hollywood action film and the slapstick comedy of Laurel and Hardy it would be The Cherry Orchid. Written by Calum McArthur, this delightful, dark comedy is presumably set in the UK, despite one character having a distinct American accent and another with the Colorado baseball team on their hat. But then again…
The production begins with a young homeowner (Tom Lane) seemingly minding his own business in his home. The man seems to be very much of a perfectionist, continually cleaning and organising his home, and he is very particular about the care of his prize orchid. Suddenly, the assassin Agent James King (Gregor Copeland) breaks into his home, and through a fast-paced series of events the audience is taken down a rabbit hole where nothing is quite what it seems.
The Cherry Orchid could have easily been a very serious production if it were not for the hilarious dialogue consisting of lines such as ‘Did you just shoot the cat?’ ‘No, it was a pigeon’. There’s also sexual humour, with one sequence where a dildo is thought to be a bomb, and there are continual fart jokes thrown in throughout the production. Yet the production manages to create a balance around a comedy which has an underlying dark subject, and where expectations are repeatedly subverted.
Throughout the first and second act, the audience is led to presume the melodramatic life which King has was not one of his choosing, but rather one into which unfortunate events happened to lead him. Ultimately, they have led him into the homeowner’s house. The audience is also encouraged to feel sorry at times for King, witnessing the life he may have led with his girlfriend, Lily (Hannah Clancy-Hughes). Moreover, while the homeowner seems to be terrified of King’s actions, he still continues to be very much attached to his beloved orchid, presumably caring for the plant above anyone else at first, but then finding compassion for King. That is, until the very end where the truth is revealed.
If there was one word to describe The Cherry Orchid, it would be ‘presumption’. From the very beginning two of the characters are presumed to play certain roles. However, there are multiple other characters involved which include the next-door neighbour, the main boss, Lily, and the delivery courier who have connections with both the homeowner and King and keep the audience guessing. These other characters seem to be innocent at first, but only King seems to have an awareness as to who is or isn’t another agent sent to assassinate him, exhibiting a lack of trust.
This all feeds satisfyingly in to an enjoyable, fast-paced comedy that has the audience on their toes from start to finish.
Written and directed by: Calum McArthur
The Cherry Orchard plays at Drayton Arms Theatre until 28 September. Further information and bookings available here.
