The high-speed pace of “The Mystery of Irma Vep” is a test of fortitude for any theater company that takes on Charles Ludlum’s two-actor play. There are dozens of lightning fast costume and character changes, not to mention all those sound and light cues.
The Penobscot Theatre Company’s production, which runs through Nov. 2, mines all the Agatha Christie and Monty Python in the script to present a funny, fast-paced comedy and mystery that never takes itself or the audience too seriously. The set, costume, lighting and sound designers deserve much of the credit for making “Irma Vep” appear practically seamless.
The play tells the story of Lady Enid Hillcrest’s arrival at Mandacrest on the Moors, the country estate of her new husband, Lord Edgar Hillcrest. The staff, made up of housemaid Jane Twisden and caretaker Nicodemus Underwood, are adjusting to her and mourning her predecessor Lady Irma Vep.
The play has been one of the most popular productions for regional theater worldwide since Ludlam first presented it in 1984 at the Ridiculous Theatrical Company in New York City. Ludlam, who died in 1987, founded the company and then wrote, produced, designed and acted in his own shows, including “Irma Vep.”
PTC last performed the play in 2001 in a much smaller space, which is now offices for People’s United Bank on Main Street in Bangor.
The current production, directed by Matt M. Morrow for PTC at the Bangor Opera House, moves at a riotous clip and is uproariously funny. Morrow knows that the key to making it work is keeping the pace ratcheted up and in overdrive. At the end of the play, the actors and the audience are panting.
Mark Chambers and Dominick Varney portray a total of seven characters. Each man appears to transform effortlessly from male to female and back again with the quick-fingered assistance of dressers backstage. Chambers plays the caretaker Nicodemus, Lady Enid and Alcazar, while Varney is Jane, Lord Edgar and an intruder. Which actor portrays Lady Irma Vep remains a mystery.
Varney is delightful as the put-upon parlor maid. The angular actor has rarely looked better than he does donning a dark wig and wielding a feather duster. His distracted Lord Edgar is dashing and, when the action switches to Egypt, daring, too.
As Nicodemus, Underwood is a lumpy, lumbering foil to Varney’s willowing domestic diva. The actor’s Lady Enid, a former actress, glides about the stage searching for an audience to the delight of the one sitting in the seats at the Opera House.
Much of the success of PTC’s production is due to the charming set and delectable costumes designed by Lex Liang. Both add immeasurably to the whimsy the playwright intended without venturing into mockery. Liang’s work is enhanced by Shon Causer’s lighting design, Brandie Rita’s sound design and Meredith Perry’s property design.
“Irma Vep” may seem like a theatrical trifle but conjuring and coordinating all the elements necessary to make each performance impeccable takes a Herculean effort. The cast and crew at PTC have done that and more. They’ve served up a sumptuously rich production that is practically flawless.
“The Mystery of Irma Vep” runs through Nov. 2. Performances are set for 7 p.m. Oct 22-23 and 29-30; 8 p.m. Oct. 24-25 and Oct. 31 and Nov. 1; and 3 p.m. Oct. 28 and Nov. 2. For tickets, visit the Bangor Opera House box office, call 942-3333, or visit Penobscottheatre.org.