DESIGN FOR LIVING. Comedy by Noel Coward. Directed by Barbara Basel. Presented by Constantia Theatre Players. Set Stephan Fourie. Costumes Alastair Duff. Lighting/Sound Gary Fargher. Lighting/Sound operation Xolani Qotoyi. At The Masque Theatre until 11 March, 2017.
Review: SHEILA CHISHOLM
Times have indeed changed from the 1930’s. Back then a menage a trois, or (worse), a menage a quatre, deeply shocked “upper-crust society.” That many indulged in such scandalous behaviour, didn’t prevent others (who hadn’t been found out) gossiping and taking the high moral (hypocritical) ground.
Those were the reasons Noel Coward’s 1932 comedy, Design for Living, premiered on Broadway rather than in London – only passing British censorship in 1939. The subject matter, concerning the three-way relationship between Gilda (Regina Malan), Otto (Gary Green) and Leo (Wayne Ronne), was considered too risque.
Noel Coward’s Design for Living is based on the “mix and match” three-way relationship between interior designer Gilda, painter Otto and author Leo. The trios’ carryings-on, proved even too extreme for Ernest (Mark Wilkes), and art-dealer and friend who, as an aside, is also in love with Gilda.
Action takes place over 3 ½ years in Otto’s studio Paris, Leo’s London flat and Ernest’s apartment in New York. Set against a skyline replicating the Eiffel Tower, Big Ben and Empire State Building, Stephan Fourie’s revolving stage, complete with art-deco carpet, settee, and various pieces of furniture, is a top engineering feat for such a small stage.
Unfortunately, manually rotating it then, behind a see-through screen, rearranging furniture, cushions and overthrows, to indicate a new venue took an inordinate length of time, resulting in dipped attention. Mistimed telephone rings, fluffed interval lighting cues causing unnecessarily extended intervals didn’t help.
Young, enthusiastic new lighting and sound operators are always welcome. However, it was seriously unwise for director Basel to leave inexperienced Qotoyi to operate sound and lighting, but matters improved after second interval.
Coward’s famous humour and wit are dependent on crisp, sharp delivery. One can’t fault the quartet’s clear enunciation, or characterisations.
What was flawed was the long thin storyline, lack of nippy punch line delivery in a plot of little moral relevance today.
What: Design for Living
Where: The Masque Theatre
When: Wed – Friday, 8pm, and Sat 2.30pm, 6.30pm
Book: 021 788 1898
WS
