... Mrs. Markham: Befuddling--at the West End Dinner Theatre
By Sharon Kennedy
"Move Over, Mrs. Markham," a hilarious London bedroom farce at Alexandria's West End Dinner Theatre, offers an evening of pleasant diversion as characters devise illusions to befuddle other characters and audience alike.
Philip Markham (Don Jacob> and Henry Lodge (Greg Procac-cino) are business partners in a flourishing children's book publishing firm. They nave an the trappings of London's affluent society: a posn uat wun downstairs office, a house maid, fashionable attire.
To the uninformed, the Markhams and Lodges present the illusion of respectability, with moral character above reproach. And to each other they want to appear happily married. As a business arrangement, Philip and Joanna (Ottila Bassford) Markham occasionally plan their evenings out so that the Lodges, Henry and Linda (Carolyn Swift), can use the flat to entertain their guests.
One evening, Olive Harriet Smythe (Ann Content), a well-known author of children's books, arrives at Markham and Lodge. Smythe, the conservative, matronly, somewhat prudish type, has broken her contract with her past publisher because she feels the publisher puts too much sex into children's books. Smythe seeks to negotiate a contract with the reputable and upstanding firm of Markham and Lodge. Her visit evolves into one unbelievably entertaining evening.
Back at the flat, the adroit cast builds upon the script's words and visual imagery to give the impression that some wild orgy is about to take place. All prove deft at misreading clues to ensuing love affairs.
John Healey Jr. as Alistair Spenlow, the Markhams' interior decorator, is a real showpiece garishly draped in blue fabric to show off to the Markhams. He practices effeminate mannerisms and "goosing" the Markhams' maid, Sylvie (Kim DeShazo), Italian-style.
The cast keeps the show spinning with topsy-turvy hilarity. With Philip's help, Henry Lodge arrives at the flat for a romantic evening alone with Miss Wilkinson (Melissa O'Neill), a telephone operator. With Joanna Markham's help, Linda Lodge arrives on that very same night for her first date with Walter Pangbourne (Chappell Aldridge), with whom she has been exchanging love letters. And Alistair Spenlow, intending to get together with Sylvie for a little after-work whoopie, joins the parties for a real rousing crowd.
With Henry's help in misreading page two of a love letter written to Linda, Philip accuses Joanna of having an affair with Alistair and leaves in a huff. Joanna figures what's good for the goose is good for the gander, and entices Alistair into her bedroom.
At this point, Olive Harriet Smythe appears on the scene. To cover up the love affairs. Joanna fabricates new identities for each character. She introduces Alistair as her husband and when the real Mr. Markham returns he is introduced as the butler. Henry Lodge remains Henry while his wife, Linda, becomes the German maid. These character turnabouts are delightfully humorous. Moreover, dense and gullible Olive never sees through the illusions.
The cast adroitly uses word play loaded with innuendo and double entendre along with the right timing, gestures and facial expressions to make "Move Over, Mrs. Markham" the most comic-rousing crowd ever to be staged in area dinner theaters. The show runs through Oct. 28. For reservations, call the theater, 4615 Duke St., at (703) 370-2500.