Werewolves, Vampires and an archaeologist with MUMMY issues!!!

By Charles Ludlam

BACK BY POPULAR DEMAND!  COMING IN JULY

For more info, go to:

http://www.cameocenter.com

Photo's: HERE

Theater review:

Antics of two-man cast make over-the-top 'Irma Vep' a delight!

by Jasmina Wellinghoff
Special to the Express-News

Halloween is a time for masquerades, so it is quite fitting that the Company Theatre has chosen to produce the ultimate theatrical masquerade, "The Mystery of Irma Vep," at this time of the year.

Staged in an intimate setting at the cozy Ruben's Café, the play is a campy, Halloween-ish spoof of melodramatic gothic novels — and the movies that followed — complete with ripping thunder, howling wolves, vampires, secrets, ancient curses and things that go bump in the night.

To enjoy it, come prepared to go with its silly flow.

Here's the premise. Lord Edgar Hillcrest has returned to his isolated ancestral manor on the moors with his new bride, Lady Enid. But the portrait of his dead first wife, Irma Vep (Clue: Irma Vep is an anagram for…?), hangs in the drawing room and the housekeeper, Jane, is not exactly friendly to the new mistress.

Nevertheless, Jane soon reveals a deep, dark secret to Enid regarding the mysterious death of Irma's son, who was killed by a wolf or, maybe, a werewolf. "The dead cling to us. They don't want to let go," muses Jane. The only other inhabitant of the mansion is the wooden-legged Nicodemus, who has plenty of secrets of his own.

The rest of the action is a convoluted succession of gothic plot elements, condensed in the most abridged, most over-the-top and mixed-up way imaginable. You'll probably recognize quite a few of playwright Charles Ludlum’s literary sources.

What makes this theatrical crazy quilt work is the actors' antics, ably handled here by director Damian Gillen and Benji Regan. Quick-change artists that they are, the two play all the parts, both male and female, without ever making us feel that we are waiting too long for a certain character to appear. What's more, they successfully create the impression that there are others somewhere there in the back, interacting with them.

Gillen is especially adept at instant transformation as he repeatedly turns himself from the rough-talking Nicodemus to the mannered Lady Enid and later into an Egyptian guide. Regan starts as Jane, whom he impersonates with goofy ease, but he is less on target as the pompous Lord Edgar.

The staging itself is simple, and scary effects are limited. But there are still a few surprises and a lot of great howling.

HELD OVER! Performances of "The Mystery of Irma Vep" are at 8 p.m. through November 10, 2007 at RUBEN’S CAFE, 14373 Blanco Road; a box dinner can be purchased before the show, plus an assortment of bakery goodies.

“It’s Monty Python meets Young Frankenstein.” We kick off our summer season with one of the most produced comedies in U.S. history. This outrageous spoof is a family-friendly horror comedy as two actors (Benji Regen & Damian Gillen) play all of the play's eight characters, racing through a literal quick-change marathon! The Mystery of Irma Vep guarantees fun for everyone!

Voted one of the best plays by Time Magazine & New York Times!

Winner of prestigious Drama Desk & Obie awards!