Sol Theatre Project

The name alone says it all.  Irma Vep is dead, the circumstances around her death are a little bizarre, the fact that her widower cannot stop morning for her yet married another after three years makes you scratch your head—who was Irma Vep? 

This play takes place in the 1800’s at the Mandacrest Estate in England, moves to Egypt, then, back to England.  With minor set changes and lighting you really feel like you are where they want you to think they are.

As the play opens, it is the Mandacrest Estate and there are two domestics, a Maid [Jane Twisden] and Groundskeeper [Nicodemus Underwood], who are squabbling, flirting, yelling, and reminded of their positions in life and job descriptions.  Nicodemus leaves through one door and comes through within seconds as another character, Lady Enid Hillcrest.  Are you scratching your head yet?—well, it will only get better.  Jane leaves through another door, comes in another as Lord Edgar Hillcrest.  This continues for the entire play.  Even while offstage, they stay in whatever character they need to be, coming in as yet another, always keeping you guessing—what’s next?  Well, it is explained that there are several mysterious, magical, and slight cult-like happenings around Mandacrest Estate, with the death of Lord Hillcrest’s first wife, Lady Irma Vep.   

While on her deathbed, Irma makes her husband promise to keep a candle burning under her painting, and, while trying to please his new wife and put her nerves at ease, blows out that candle only to have all mayhem break loose.  Did I forget to mention that she said that she would come back?   

Jim Gibbons and Daivd Tarryn Grae are seriously two of the most witty, well-read, intimate actors I could have asked for from this play. They had to literally memorize 45 minutes of constant dialog, accents, and character traits.  Within five minutes, they could each play three different characters, let alone make it hysterical.  Their performances were among my favorites in this kind of intimate setting.  You will feel like you are ten years old, at your gay Uncle’s house for the weekend, and they are putting on a play just for you.  Even though it was opening night that I experienced this play, it felt like second nature to them, like proud Shakespearian actors.  They not only play male and female characters, but also a werewolf, vampire, and an Egyptian Queen. They never leave you for a second, even when backstage they bring this play to life, death, and back again, with double entendras, one liners and zingers delivered on cue and with the pinpoint accuracy of a true professional.  Lastly, one thing not to close your eyes for:  Dresser Angel Perez’s appearance to change the set—truly worthwhile.