A love triangle filled with multiple murder schemes will offer pure “frivolous entertainment,” says its director.
“There’s not a serious word in the entire play, which is why I chose it,” said Matt Watson.
He also plays one of three characters in Murder at the Howard Johnson’s written by Ron Clark and Sam Bobrick.
Set in a 1979 hotel room, the play promises nooses, Novocain and nuptials in two acts, with three plots.
Arlene, played by Elizabeth Brimacombe, conspires with her lover Mitchell Lovell (Watson), a dentist who sees himself as dashing, to kill her husband Paul (James Hunter).
“She’s quite a ditz, but she wants things that women want,” Brimacombe said. In relationships she longs for understanding, empowerment and appreciation. “But she’s misguided. … She’s got pretty poor insight.”
In the second episode Arlene allies herself with Paul to murder Mitchell, then she becomes the focus of the murderous plot.
The Peninsula Players started rehearsing in January for the first show of its 60th year offering community theatre.
Brimacombe is enjoying the slight goofiness of her character.
“It’s fun. There’s a clear gap between stage and real life,” she said. “It has that magical fantasy that the stage can offer.”
The first presentation of the play will be performed at the Berwick auditorium, 4680 Elk Lake Dr., a stone’s throw from the Howard Johnson hotel. Berwick performances are March 9 to 11. Tickets are $15.
March 16 to 18, the Players move to the Charlie White Theatre in Sidney. Tickets are $18 for adults and $15 for seniors and students.
Get tickets online through peninsulaplayers.bc.ca.
