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Enchanting April: A captivating escape |
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Written by Rebecca LaPole
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Friday, 23 February 2007 |
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Who wouldn’t love a getaway to a secluded Italian castle?
You can take that trip, vicariously at least, with four inspiring ladies on their vacation in “Enchanted April,” the new production by OpenStage Theatre.
Based on Elizabeth von Arnim’s 1922 novel, “The Enchanted April,” the play was adapted by Matthew Barber and became a 1992 film and a 2003 Tony-award-winning Broadway hit.
Director Ken Fenwick gave insight on the original author’s background: “Von Arnim was a countess by her first marriage. Her second marriage was to John Francis Stanley Russell, Bertrand Russell’s elder brother. So while that second marriage is breaking up, she and three or four of her friends decide to take a vacation southeast of Genoa, Italy.”
The location for Act II is based on Portofino, a village of 100 people. The community on the coast is known for its photogenic fishing ports and romantic, laid-back atmosphere.
“They stay at Castle Brown, a little Italian castle right by the Mediterranean, which you can only get to by boat or hiking, and it’s about a two-hour walk,” Fenwick said.
Set from February to April 1922, the play begins in dreary London just after World War I. Four British women decide to go on holiday to renew their spirits. Heather Lacy plays Rose Arnott, who was represented by Molly Ringwald on Broadway, and Erin Quinn is Lotty Wilton, the character for which Jayne Atkinson won a Tony.
Rose works hard and gives so much of herself that she forgets to get anything back. Lacy said, “[Rose] is very guilt-stricken over what’s happened in her life and blames herself. She won’t let anyone love her.”
Lotty, on the other hand, is full of optimism, energy and life. Quinn said, “Lotty has an effervescent optimism that cannot be squashed. Even though she lives in Britain in an unfulfilling marriage, she maintains that positivity. It’s a joy to play her because she’s so upbeat.”
“It reminds us to keep looking around and looking forward to the people in your life rather than wishing you had something or someone else,” Lacy said. | Only registered users can write comments.
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