Black Humor and Genuine Chills

Nightmares and Nightcaps: The Stories of John Collier – Black Button Eyes Productions- 

 

British-born author John Collier, best-known for his highly polished, but bitterly flippant fantasies, was regularly featured in The New Yorker, from the 1930’s through the 1950’s. His dark style might even be viewed as a precursor to contemporary authors Neil Gaiman, Roald Dahl or even Ray Bradbury. Collier’s sophisticated, edgy stories and novels, filled with poetic descriptions, sharp, caustic wit, frightening characters and bizarre plot twists, have been anthologized here in theatrical form.

Several eerie tales are included in Ed Rutherford’s 90-minute adaptation of John Collier’s stories. It plays as a kind of representative sampling of some of the writer’s works. They include such stories as “Over Insurance,” a story about a happy, young couple so in love that they can’t imagine life without each other. Investing most of their income in an enormous life insurance policy, the couple experiences an ironic surprise in the end.

Other vignettes include “Thus I Refute Beelzy,” in which an overbearing father refutes the imaginary creations by his young son, until he encounters a bloodthirsty creature from the boy’s imagination. Based upon “The Chaser,” a young man is confounded by a merchant’s low prices for his love potions when the seller’s undetectable poisons sell for so much more. There’s a story about Mr. and Mrs. Beaseley, a married couple wherein the henpecked husband offers his shrew of a wife half of his his newly-acquired fortune to go build herself a dream house in Jacksonville, while he traveled the world alone. And, in possibly the most terrifying tale, a scriptwriter’s overly ambitious agent hooks her client up with Mr. Scratch, a devilish megalomaniac, determined to turn a young, innocent girl into a big Hollywood star.

Much credit goes to Mr. Rutherford for this mesmerizing, new production. His world premiere, destined to become seasonal favorite for theatres looking for a perfect Halloween offering, is compiled and adapted with particular skill and precision. The production is also directed by the talented Renaissance Man, Ed Rutherford, with an abundance of stylized movement that borders on dance, created by the equally talented Derek Van Barham. The presentation is slick, stylish and quite sophisticated. Robert Hornbostel’s robust sound design further enhances the spine-tingling effects of each story; and Jeremiah Barr’s set, props and unique puppet designs add detail and a degree of whimsy to whole affair.

The play is presided over by The Dweller, a character who, it might be imagined, is actually the alter-ego John Collier. Introducing the audience to each story, the handsome, always cultured and totally in control Kevin Webb finds a ghoulish delight in the tragic conclusions to each playlet. He even takes an active role in a few of the stories. Rutherford’s energetic ensemble, each of whom plays many roles, features the talents of Megan DeLay, Ellen DeSitter, Kat Evans, Maiko Terazawa and the always reliable, excitingly show-stopping actress, Caitlin Jackson. Additionally, the cast features the expertise of Shane Roberie, Lee Wichman and, most impressively, a terrifically gifted, Joshua Servantez. 

From the young theatre company noted for its fanciful and frightening plays and musicals, such as “Coraline,” “Shockheaded Peter” and the lovely, romantic “Amour,” we have another evening of entertainments that combine together to form a danse macabre. Serving up black humor, several unexpected surprises and a few genuine chills, Ed Rutherford’s latest production is nicely staged, beautifully acted and creatively supported by a team of clever theatrical artisans. And, as an added bonus, bibliophile  theatergoers may even discover a new author they’ll want to read, in the prolific works of John Collier.

Recommended

Reviewed by Colin Douglas        

           

Presented August 17-September 15 by Black Button Eyes Productions at the Athenaeum Theatre, 2936 N. Southport, Chicago.

Tickets are available at the box office, by calling 773-935-6875 or by going to www.athenaeumtheatre.org.

Additional information about this and other area productions can be found by visiting www.theatreinchicago.com.