Review - FCP's Drood a unique, enjoyable romp with definite "replay value"

The cast of The Mystery of Edwin Drood

The Mystery of Edwin Drood by Fighting Chance Productions is a fun, comedic romp that employs quite a few metatheatrical devices not seen in most musicals. Based on Charles Dicken's final and unfinished novel of the same title, the show quite literally begins the moment you enter the theatre. There is absolutely no fourth wall, the cast interacts with the audience throughout the production, and the ending is determined by audience vote. Very tongue-in-cheek and incredibly self-aware, Drood also features a great mix of both new and seasoned local musical talent.

We were there for a packed opening night to find out the mystery... er... see who the opening night audience would choose as the cold-blooded murderer of Edwin Drood! The choice matters, as whoever gets chosen gets to have some extra time in the spotlight. Honestly, it was like watching an Agatha Christie musical that ends with the Clue version of American Idol.

When you enter the theatre, you'll notice a few people in the audience and the aisles dressed in Victorian-era styled clothing. No, the Dickens Society didn't decide to show up in costume. The show has already begun! You have just entered the halls of the Music Hall Royale to see a production of The Mystery of Edwin Drood. And for some reason, the actors of the Music Hall Royale are in the audience to mingle, flirt, and show off. The fun begins almost immediately, and the actors playing [bad] Victorian actors are given a chance to show off their interactive improv chops, a few more successfully than others. Some play it more strategically and spend the time soliciting audience members for votes later in the show.

There is no fourth wall to begin with, and the cast acknowledges the audience throughout the show. They break character. A lot. Keeping in mind that again, the real actors are all themselves playing really bad actors. The flavour of the show is very metatheatrical. At one point the character Durdles (played by Nick Cricker played by James Walker) sat down next to me, took out a metal flask, and proceeded to drink away while reacting to what was happening onstage. It's probably the first show I've ever been to where you're made fully aware of your presence as an audience member for the whole thing.

Jack Rigg (Chairman) leads the cast in "There You Are"

Alexander McMorran (John Jasper/Cliver Paget) and Sarah Wolfman-Robichaud (Edwin Drood/Alice Nutting) do very successful jobs of leading the cast in their multi-faceted, self-aware, and very demanding roles. They constantly switch between grandstanding diva, slapstick character comedian, and improvised terrible Victorian actor; singing and dancing their way through multiple numbers on top of everything else. Like true seasoned triple threats, they manage to do that and more, proving just how comfortable they are in a theatrical setting.

Emma Rendell (Helena Landless)
and Jennifer Doan (Rosa Bud)

Jennifer Doan (Rosa Bud/Deirdre Peregrine) shows off her classical voice in the ingenue ballad "Moonfall" especially with the help of some dramatic mood lighting. The song doesn't quite fit the style of the rest of the show, but works within the context of the play. With a name fit for a very unfortunate drag queen, Linda Leong Sum as Princess Puffer/Angela Prysock also stood out with her distinctively brassy voice and her ability to lead the audience, a vital part of her role.


Alfonso Banzon (Neville Landless/Victor Grinstead) stole a few moments with his ballet skills (and being the terrible drag queen that I am, I kept seeing Harry Shum Jr from Glee... what?! I can't have been the only one corrupted by that damn show!) Of the many scene-stealers that night, Chris Lam (Bazzard/Philip Bax) probably won the most laughs from the opening night audience, resulting in him winning the coveted vote for the Detective.

My personal favourite moment of the night came near the end, when the audience paired up the Princess Puffer with a very drunk Durdles. In their [mostly] sincere romantic exchange, the two vagabonds shared some deliciously self-depricating lines, ending with a hilarious comedy kiss. Another moment that got a serious chuckle from me was at the end of Act I, when a certain character shows up with the biggest smile on their face and they're kinda not supposed to be there. It's all suspension of disbelief.

The cast performs "Settling Up the Score"

With a cast of twenty two, there are enough characters to interact with during those audience participation moments. And with the multiple endings, this show has (as our resident gaymer SnapDragon would put it) definite replay value. Come for the laughs, come for the endings, come for a delightful night out at the theatre. No matter if you go once or go multiple times, you'll probably find something to smile and laugh about at this show.

And in case you missed it, be sure to check out our interview with Drood herself!

THE MYSTERY OF EDWIN DROOD
by Fighting Chance Productions
Metro Theatre (1370 SW Marine Dr)
February 16 - March 3
Tickets via Ticketstonight.ca

Posted by Filipina Colada