FRONT ROW CENTRE: 'The Play's the Thing' a comedic gem

In As You like It, Shakespeare wrote, "All the world's a stage, and all the men and women merely players."

Nearly 300 years later, Hungarian playwright Ferenc Molnar created a play about art imitating life called The Play in the Castle, which was later translated by P.G. Wodehouse as The Play's the Thing in 1926.

This classic comedy is currently playing at Fairview Library Theatre courtesy of Stage Centre productions.

In a castle on the Italian Riviera, Sandor Turai, a celebrated author and director of operettas, must prevent Albert Adam, his composer, from walking out of their new show after they overhear Albert's fiancee, their prima donna Ilona, in the adjoining room having a noisy dalliance with her ex and frequent co-star, Almady.

Overnight, Sandor writes a detailed script incorporating much of the overheard love talk to convince Albert the two players were merely rehearsing a scene. This will not only convince Albert of Ilona's innocence but also to poke fun at Almady, whom he despises.

Will van der Zyl takes full control here as the conniving playwright, exchanging sharp ripostes with his collaborator, Mansky, played by Michael Chodos.

Brad Emes is the distraught composer. Watch his facial expression in the final scene when he realizes that what he heard was just a play, Or was it? That is just the question at the core of The Play's the Thing. This expert cast deftly draws the viewers into an intriguing web of lies and deceptions.

Julia Haynes and Tony Rein are the players, with their rehearsal scene a comedic gem. Haynes is perfect as the haughty star with Rein giving a hysterical performance as a self-important actor driven to distraction by the endless lists of foreign names the playwright forces his character to pronounce.

The only problem with this delicious pay-off - and it is a problem inherent in the play and not the production - is that it requires two very full acts to set up. There are many funny lines in the early scenes, but the belly laughs don't really begin until the third act.

Michael James Burgess has lovingly directed the piece to build steadily towards this final denouement, allowing himself a few brief appearances as castle footman Johann Dwornitschek to keep the laughter going in the early part of the play. This is neatly balanced by J.B. Pierre Rajotte's smart turn as Mell, official prompter for the play rehearsal in the final scene.

In his program notes, Burgess states his opinion that this is "one of the funniest comedies ever staged," and by the end of the performance you may very well agree with his assessment.

The Play's the Thing is at Fairview Library Theatre, 35 Fairview Mall Dr., through Saturday, Jan. 21. For performance times and ticket information, visit www.stagecentreproductions.com or call the box office at 416-299-5557.