Who could imagine that passive aggressiveness could be so fun?
The summer theatre season is coming to an end with Globus Theatre’s production of The Long Weekend, a comedy written in 1994 by Canadian playwright Norm Foster. Directed by and starring Globus’ artistic director Sarah Quick, the play co-stars Globus’ artistic producer James Barrett and heralds the return of actors Kevin Sepaul and Anna Black to the Globus stage. The result is a delightful two-act comedy about four characters who really don’t like each other — and two of the worst long weekends ever.
Kevin Sepaul and Anna Black play Max and Wynn Trueman. He’s a successful lawyer and she’s an about-to-be-published relationship psychologist. Having bought a luxurious summer home in the country, the pair invites their friends Roger and Abby Nash (played by James Barrett and Sarah Quick) to their home for the long weekend. Abby is a shop keeper and Roger is a former math teacher turned aspiring writer.
From the moment the production begins, you know that this long weekend is doomed. While Wynn and Abby have been friends since college, it’s debatable that they really like each other that much. On the other hand, it’s obvious Roger and Max don’t like each other at all. What follows is a hilarious battle of innuendos and attitudes where secrets are revealed, poor decisions are made, and it becomes clear that the grass isn’t always greener on the other side of the fence. Can these four separate human relationships stay intact by the end of the production? Will they stay intact by the end of the first act?
With sophisticated characters and an intelligent script, The Long Weekend is comedy at its finest, from beginning to end. The play succeeds on a number of different levels, but what seems to be the defining factor making this production so enjoyable is the dynamics of the ensemble cast. While their four characters don’t necessarily like one other, the four actors clearly enjoy working together. Playing off of each other’s characters, the chemistry between the actors is exciting. Sometimes you can tell the actors are trying hard not to laugh themselves, as they are so entertained by what their co-stars are doing.
Working in an “in the round” setting (with the audience at all sides of the stage), the actors circle one another through careful and precise stage directions, creating a unique theatre space for the comedy. At times, it puts the audience extremely close to the actors, resulting in a fly-on-the-wall experience as we watch the feuding in and between the couples.
Although each character shines in his or her own right, Kevin Sepaul takes the spotlight as Max Trueman. Brash and arrogant — the kind of guy who grinds your gears — Max is the alpha male of the show. The bluntest of the characters and the one with the most to say, he seems to be the one who the audience most wants to see fail. But there’s also a likeable quality to the character that emerges through his clever cynicism and his opinionated honesty. The funniest of the four characters, Kevin Sepaul plays the guy you hate to love.
Anna Black as Wynn Trueman could be the most likeable character, but she has a dark side as well. Although Wynn seems genuinely to be a nice person, she has an elitist quality and is easily the most manipulative of the four characters. At times, you wonder how someone as nice as her ended up with a man like Max — but after a while you realize that the two are cut from the same social cloth. Anna Black is a delight to watch and is a true crowd pleaser.
James Barrett plays Roger Nash, the most neurotic of the characters. Roger is easy to like on many levels. As the polar opposite of Max, he becomes Max’s natural foe and the tension between the pair delivers some of the production’s funniest moments. Anytime Seupal and Barrett interact on stage, it brings instant laughs. All the other characters take turns pushing Roger around because his character is the most passive. However, Roger is also the pettiest character; he holds onto grudges and is very good at remembering details.
Sarah Quick plays Abby Nash, the character with the biggest personality and the sweetest smile. However, she is also the most selfish and jealous of the four characters. As queen of the subtle put-down, Abby can be quietly aggressive to Roger and Wynn. While Roger takes it from her, Wynn isn’t scared to call her out. Abby becomes a juggernaut of social dysfunction who often pushes the other characters to their limits.
Together, all four characters create a perfect storm of conflict leading to tidal waves of laughs.
Yes, The Long Weekend is a very funny play. You might ask how a show about four flawed characters who don’t even want to be in the same room together can be so entertaining. One reason is because the personality flaws of the characters give them dimension and keep the conflict interesting and fresh. You’re just never sure just how the characters are going to react to one another. There’s also a series of twists from the first to the second act that makes you wonder how it’s all going to come out in the end. But what makes this play so much fun to watch is the strength of the four actors who so clearly enjoy working together.
The Long Weekend is a wonderful production from a wonderful theatre company that keeps you guessing and keeps you laughing.
The play runs until August 30th at Lakeview Arts Barn in Bobcaygeon. Shows start at 8 p.m. (with a couple of 2 p.m. matinees) and tickets can be purchased by calling 705-738-2037. Dinner before the evening shows is also available.
