What’s Going On At The Birdcage Theatre??
by Pat Koskinen
Anna Devore adapted and directs the new production at the Birdcage,
CLIFF’S END, a very traditional ghost story, based on the novel
THE UNIVITED
by Dorothy Macardle.
The main characters are a sister and brother vacationing on the
Devonshire coast in late 1948. They come across a large, uninhabited
house, Cliff's End. The sister, Pam (Alexandria Marie Qlson), finds it
beautiful. It reminds both her and her brother Rick (Joshua Furtado) of
their childhood home. Pam becomes determined to buy the house. Rick is
a writer, and she tempts him into buying the house with the suggestion
that he would be able to write. She also urges that important decisions
must be made quickly. The brother and sister go to take a closer look
at their new home, including a room that was locked and they were
unable to explore before, a painter’s studio. Pam says it is the
one ugly room in the house.
Now as the play proceeds watch for these clues. The dog and the cat both refuse to go to the second floor.
Stella, ( Marchia Ryborz), the vulnerable and beautiful central
character, wears Mimosa, which her father gave her, telling her
it was her mother’s scent. Stella explains that when
she says she has spoken with her mother she is referring to Mary
Meredith, a resident spirit and who's portrait hangs in the
house. The tobacconist from the village tells Rick that the
Commander’s daughter, Mary Meredith, died after a fall from the
cliff by the house 20 years earlier It is rumored that the wild gypsy,
Carmella, likely pushed her from the edge and then she also died a
few days later.
When he returns from London, Rick wakes one night to the sound of a
woman sobbing. Thinking it is Pam he goes out onto the landing, where
she joins him. Pam explains that the cries come at night and she has
been unable to discover from where and always quieting at dawn.. The
Commander is obsessed with keeping Stella away froth the house.
A helpful neighbor, Dr. Scott (Mark S. Fitzgerald) introduces old
medical records from the night Mary Meredith died.
Thinking she would be safe, Commander Brooke (Wes Bayles) finally commits Stella to an
institution run by the vile tempered Miss Holloway (Barbara Daggett)..
All of these happening create an air of mystery but still keep you
guessing as to what the facts really are. This is what makes
CLIFF’S END a wonderful classic ghost story. It holds your
interest until the last moment. Anna Devore’s adaptation keeps
the production in focus. Olson is a charming sister in love with the
dream of a peaceful life in the country. Joshua is a very practical and
kind Rick. Bayles plays the Commander Brooke with the authority and
detachment required. Fitzgerald is a perfect Dr. Scott, likeable and
trustworthy. Cheryl Turnbough is a wonderful Irish maid, whose presence
adds a delightful note of humor to the play. Barbara Daggett is
actually scary as Miss Holloway. Her voice is a wonderful instrument.
Rachel McCullough does a great ghost. All in all this is a great story,
very well acted, which you should not miss.
A lovely addition to the experience of this night at the dinner is the
beautiful 40’s music that is played, including STELLA BY
STARLIGHT.
CLIFF”S END runs from December 4 until December 20.Tickets are
$10 ($5 for pre-teens). Advance tickets are available at the Discount
Bookstore, 1515 Myers in Oroville. Birdcage Theatre is located at 1740
Bird St. in downtown Oroville. Performances are at 7:30 on Friday and
Saturday evenings, and 2 p.m. Sunday afternoons. The audience may meet
and mingle with the actors (and directors) after every performance,
according to Birdcage tradition. Call the theatre at (530) 533- BIRD
(2473) for information about season tickets, or other questions. Also
visit the Web site at: www.birdcagetheatre.net.
some name and situation corrections by web editor have been made