A Lovely Sunday for Creve Coeur at the Chemainus Theatre Festival. A review.

A Lovely Sunday for Creve Coeur at the Chemainus Theatre Festival. A review.

Maybe it’s the smell of chicken frying as Bodey (Erin Ormond) so nonchalantly prepares a picnic lunch; the characters in Tennessee Williams’ quiet masterpiece, a Lovely Sunday for Creve Coeur, currently at the Chemainus Theatre Festival September 9^th-24^th, take contemporary audiences by the hand and whisper, “stay with us awhile”.

This intimate slice-of-life brings into sharp focus the routine lives of four very different women in 1930s St Louis Missouri—Bodey is the steady stalwart and Ormond shows her spunk and wisdom early on; despite being solidly working class Brodey, with her down to earth sensibilities, is perhaps the happiest of them all; Dorothea (Dottie), her roommate–Stacie Steadman in a portrayal brimming with wholesome sexuality and restless energy–having moved from Memphis, yearns to move up on the social ladder and pines for the attentions of a handsome principal at the school where she teaches; Helena–Kaitlin Williams in a marvellous and tricky role where she balances constant vituperation and social put-downs with slight insights into a desperate and brittle character—considers herself to be at the top of the social pecking order and lords it over the others; poor Sophie Gluck—Randi Edmundson draws sympathy for this hapless individual, overcome with grief—has yet to come to terms with the death of her mother, and mopes around the building anxious for connection.

Erin Ormond, Kaitlin Williams, Stacie Steadman, Randi Edmundson. Photo: Cim MacDonald

Romanticism versus practicality, generosity versus spitefulness, working class versus professional, Williams comes back time and time again to themes that are universal, and digs deep into the intimate nature of these women’s lives to examine them.

It doesn’t matter that it’s 2016, when Bodey opines “there’s always a gossipy little group” she could be talking about life today.  And Helena, describing “dinner for one”, echoes the complaints of generations of lonely people while Dottie’s relentless pursuit of physical fitness and the man she dreams of definitely rejoin concerns of modern women. Heartbreak and disappointment are inevitable.

Set designer Amanda Larder, through judicious use of suspended doorways and windows, and complete working kitchen, creates the claustrophobic impression of the tight confines in Bodey and Dottie’s cramped efficiency, paying particular and faithful attention to the playwright’s descriptions.  When Helena laughs at the décor, what had originally appeared charming takes on a completely different look as seen through her eyes—a sad example of the German tenements so far removed from her experience.

Lighting (Marsha Sibthorpe) illuminates crucial moments of despair—Dottie sobs disconsolately under the soft haloed light in the bedroom, and Helena steps out of the action for a moment to show her true feelings.

Crystal Hanson’s costumes clearly define the class distinctions—Bodey is dowdy in her house dress, Helena–crisp and elegant as if stepping off the society pages, Dottie—girlish in a gown that cost dearly and Sophie frumpy in be-ruffled peignoir.

Stacie Steadman as Dottie. Photo: Cim MacDonald

While elements of nostalgia are at play in terms of décor and household convenience, present day audiences will be grateful for societal changes sometimes taken for granted—Bodey rejoices in an extra half-Saturday off, Dottie has happily “crossed the line”, Helena arrives for a visit that is not expected.

Boundaries and limits are clearly defined–a Lovely Sunday for Creve Coeur is fascinating in its exploration of how these four women test and conform to them, and in the interplay in their relationships.

Director Sarah Rodgers and actors have crafted a sensitive, nuanced production that inspires viewers to want to know more, and proves, once again, the profound ability of Tennessee Williams to transcend time and place.

A Lovely Sunday for Creve Coeur has a limited run. Don’t be disappointed.

A Lovely Sunday for Creve Coeur at the Chemainus Theatre Festival
September 9-24, 2016
Tickets: $28-$62 (Chemainus Theatre Festival practices dynamic pricing)