Savagely funny
Squalicum tackles a tough one
by Christopher Key
When I was in high school, back during the administration of Millard Fillmore, the plays that were chosen for us were carefully screened to exclude anything that might be considered an acting challenge. Fortunately for all of us, high schools are made of somewhat sterner stuff these days.
Case in point: The Curious Savage at Squalicum High School. John Patrick’s 1950 play was rather daring in those days because it dared to question the societal definitions of insanity. It does this with a velvet glove rather than an iron fist, with enormous sensitivity and with tongue firmly planted in cheek.
The story revolves around Ethel P. Savage, a wealthy widow whose greedy step-children commit her to a private mental institution in order to get their hands on her money. Her only mental illness is that she is a free spirit and wants to do something worthwhile with her money. She leads the step-kids on a merry, and ultimately unsuccessful, chase after the money with the help of the friends she makes at The Cloisters.
Those friends are the residents of the mental institution whose main problem is that they are too kind, loving and sensitive to handle the dog-eat-dog world that exists outside the walls of The Cloisters. For that, they are judged to be insane and that is the genius of Patrick’s script. It dares to ask if the real loonies are the ones outside the walls. Don’t get me wrong. This is a wildly funny comedy and that makes its message devastatingly effective.
The acting challenges are enormous because the residents of The Cloisters have to be a bit off-center while still conveying that they are ultimately sane. Director Elizabeth Lathrop is to be congratulated for tackling a script this difficult and for guiding her students through this emotional roller-coaster.
Mady Gold plays Ethel P. Savage with a wonderful verve and a twinkle in her eye. This is her show to win or lose as the central character. She wins convincingly. Her fellow inmates are all well-portrayed, but one of the more minor characters stands out in my mind. Mrs. Paddy, as played by Courtney Blatz, nearly steals the show with her dead-on delivery of some very difficult lines and an amazing physicality. This is an actor to watch for.
Another stellar performance is delivered by Katy Witherington as Fairy May, whose geeky appearance and desperate need for love are totally endearing. Hannibal, a would-be violinist, is played with amazing subtlety by Aidan Woods. I once played this role and know how difficult it is. He’s a far better violinist than I am.
Mrs. Savage gives a lesson in current events to the residents of The Cloisters in Squalicum High School's production of The Curious Savage.
Jeffrey, a scarred veteran of World War II, is given vibrant life by Monroe Freeman. Kaitlyn Turner is totally sympathetic as the nurse who protects her patients with fierce resolve. Florence lost her child and invests a rag doll with his presence. Josephine Vorenkamp makes that character completely believable. Dr. Emmet, the director of The Cloisters, has to be professionally objective, but still compassionate. Taylor Blatz conveys that dichotomy beautifully.
Those sleazy Savage step-children don’t get much stage time, but they make the most of it. Andrew Ponder portrays Sen. Titus Savage with true political sleaziness. His sister Lily Belle is played with gold-digger sluttiness by Celestia Gonzales. Their brother Samuel, a judge who is on sale to the highest bidder, is played by Korey Tiderington, the only freshman in the cast and a talent that has great potential.
The Curious Savage plays November 21 at 7:30 p.m. and November 22 at 2:00 p.m. at the Squalicum High School Forum on McLeod Road. Admission is $8 at the door.
It’s a bargain to see the play that inspired One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest.
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