The Minister’s Wife

Candida – Shaw Chicago 

 

The Reverend James Morell is a noted, highly respected clergyman from London’s Northeastern suburbs. Representing the Church of England, Rev. Morell is a Christian Socialist who’s become popular all over England, not only as a minister, but as a motivational speaker. James’ popularity, however, is partially due to his wise, wonderfully honest and refreshing frank young wife, Candida.

One afternoon Candida returns to the rectory from a trip to London. She’s brought with her a handsome, young poet named Eugene Marchbanks. The young man has become smitten with Candida and seeks to rescue her from what he interprets as a boring, mundane life as a minister’s wife. Marchbanks worships Candida and thinks she needs his care and protection. Candida is flattered by the young man’s attention but is truly in love with her husband, who she proclaims, as the weaker of the two men, needs her love the most.

Directed with her usual perception and tasteful vibrance, Barbara Zahora (often starring onstage in many ShawChicago productions) guides her six talented actors toward making these characters authentic, honest and fully three-dimensional. In ShawChicago’s traditional style, this concert reading boasts limited staging, vibrant acting, clear enunciation, expressive body language and a story that elicits the audience’s imagination. Employing a bit of modest costuming, Candida, the Reverand Morell, Eugene Marchbanks, and all the other characters spring to life on the Ruth Page stage. 

This non-profit theatre company has been in existence since 1994. Their mission is to present concert reading versions of the works of George Bernard Shaw and his contemporaries. These symphonies for the voice are beautifully rehearsed and bring to life the words of some of the theatre’s greatest playwrights.

Carrie Lee Patterson is perfection as Candida. Her lovely countenance and sweet personality must be what Shaw had in mind when he wrote this character. The same may be said for Doug MacKechnie’s Reverend Morell. He brings to the stage, as he’s done many times, a strong, clear-speaking gentleman of intellect and emotion. Newcomer Salar Ardebili gives an earnest, heartfelt performance as Eugene Marchbanks, the young poet who falls in love with the beautiful Candida. The cast is completed by lovely Callie Johnson, as Morell’s modest, eager-to-please assistant; the always wonderful Jack Hickey, as Candida’s humorous father, Mr. Burgess; and newcomer Robert Hunter Bry, who makes a fine, strong impression as Morell’s friend, the young Reverend Alexander “Lexy” Mill.

For audiences who enjoy the simplicity, sound and majesty of the spoken word, over and above all the trappings and finery of a fancier, fleshed-out production, this is a great introduction to the works of George Bernard Shaw. There are two more productions in this company’s season, all to be enjoyed in the relaxed comfort of the newly remodeled Ruth Page Center for the Arts. It’s class and sophistication in an informal setting; it’s also exceptional theatre for the thinking theatergoer.

Recommended

Reviewed by Colin Douglas     

 

Presented October 20-November 12 by ShawChicago at the Ruth Page Center for the Arts, 1016 N. Dearborn St., Chicago.

Tickets are available in person at the box office, by calling 312-587-7390 or by going to http://shawchicago.org.

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