One hardly knows how this 15th-century farce originally played, but here, adapted by Oscar Mandel, it is an utterly confused, low-rent, and poorly defined production that borders on hyperbolic children's theatre for adults. The eponymous Quill (Frederick Dechow) is a con man who has done time for his failed depredations, and wife Madge (Samantha Kern) is none too keen to have him pull another scam, this time to, er, fleece clothier Bill Joss (Bo Hudson) out of fine material to make clothes. Not only does Joss buy the fact that Quill is supposedly dying and could not have visited him -- a rather flimsy plot contrivance even for farce -- a shepherd named Tibald Wooly (Anora Wolff) has been eating some of Joss' flock and entreats Quill to once again trick Joss when the case goes before a judge (Michael O'Hara).
This 45-minute piece is based on little logic and breaks a cardinal dramaturgical rule of constantly repeating information the audience already knows. Director Max Bird-Ridnell seems not to understand that farce is grounded in great physicality, split-second timing, and the players bringing a sense of seriousness to their behavior, despite admittedly ludicrous situations. The young players are all -- very sad to say -- unseasoned and without any particular comedic skills. Dechow speaks too quickly and has poor diction. Kern manages at times to be endearing, but her shrieking laughter is not to be endured. Hudson plays his put-upon victim like a drill instructor who constantly promises revenge without ever achieving it.
The broadness of the acting; a highly unattractive and poorly functional set on wheels that forces players to walk through doorways that are canvas flaps; no sound cues; and the aforementioned actors with little training combine to create a blessedly brief piece that is as unfocused as it is outdated.
Presented by Capital DK Productions at the Celebration Theatre,
7051-B Santa Monica Blvd., L.A.
Sat. 2 p.m., Sun. 7 p.m. Jun. 1-15. Also at Plummer Park, 7377 Santa Monica Blvd., West Hollywood. Sat. 2 p.m., Sun. 6 p.m. Jun. 1-22.
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