Quills

Last night, we visited the Off Tryon Theatre Company for their production of Quills. I actually enjoyed this stage production much better than the 2000 movie of the same name.

Unlike the innerVoices production of Rocky Horror that we attended a couple of weeks ago, this production was quite refined. Instead of a nearly empty set with minimal furnishings, the designers of the Quills set did a fine job, splitting the stage area into three sections, two of which are used regularly as the office of Charenton Asylum and the cell of the Marquis. The third section of the stage is used sparsely but effectively throughout.

Surprisingly entertaining renditions were turned in by nearly every member of the cast. In particular, the roles of the Marquis de Sade and Renee Pelagie (the wife of the Marquis) were excellently filled by Hank West and Suzy Hart, respectively. Glenn Hutchinson ably lent his talents to fleshing out the role of Dr. Royer-Collard and Jeremy Cartee did an admirable job of showing us the transformation of the Abbe de Coulmier. Meanwhile, Jennifer Quigley leant her mischievous smile to Madeleine LeClerc.

Again a show that is not for the faint-of-heart, involving both language and nudity not appropriate for children, but with this production, Charlotte Fringe Theatre once again shows that they are a worthy (and valuable) addition to the makeup of Charlotte.