Review: WHAT THE BUTLER SAW is an Exciting, Zany Romp

"You're in a madhouse, unusual behavior is the order of the day."

-by Dr. Rance in What the Butler Saw

Get ready to laugh, and laugh some more. The Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey is presenting the madcap sensation, What the Butler Saw. The show is written by Joe Orton, expertly directed by Paul Mullins, and features a marvelous, accomplished troupe of actors. Sexual imprudence and a series of wild and absurd situations give this play real pizzazz. Start the fall theatre season off right, gather your group (of adults only) and see the rarely performed comedic frolic while you can.

The play takes place in the psychiatric clinic of Dr. Prentice where he is attempting to seduce his prospective secretary, Geraldine Barclay. After Dr. Prentice cunningly coaxes the young applicant to undress, his wife, Mrs. Prentice suddenly enters. Her unexpected appearance causes the doctor nervously to hide both the girl and her clothing. Not known to her husband, Mrs. Prentice has been seduced by a hotel bellboy, Nicholas Beckett who is blackmailing her. The circumstances become even more convoluted and confusing when an officer of the law, Sergeant Match shows up. And when a government inspector, Dr. Rance arrives at the clinic, he offers twisted psychological logic to the events. There's no telling what will happen next with these six quirky characters. Lust, incest and sexual orientation take center stage while mistaken identities, deceit, and outrageous indiscretions keep the story constantly on the move. You will be mesmerized from the first scene to the last.

The cast of What the Butler Saw is superb. They deliver the fast-paced dialogue and non-stop action without missing a beat. The company includes Peter Simon Hilton as Doctor Prentice; Vanessa Morosco as Mrs. Prentice; Allison Layman as Geraldine Barclay; John Hutton as Doctor Rance; Robbie Simpson as Nicholas Beckett; Jeffrey M. Bender as Sergeant Match.

The Creative Team has done a great job of bringing the show to the stage with sound design by Steven L. Beckel; scenic design by Brittany Vasta; costume design by Kristin Isola; lighting design by Tony Galaska; wig design by Emilia Martin. The Action Coordinator is Rick Sordelet; Production Stage Manage is Alison Cote; Assistants to the Stage Manager are Jenna Gregson and Heather McLeod; Assistant to the Director is Rebecca Feely.

Praise for Artistic Director, Bonnie J. Monte and The Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey Company for presenting the metro area audience with What the Butler Saw, the very first Joe Orton play that has been produced by the Theatre. This unpredictable farcical masterpiece must be seen. Get your tickets now.

What the Butler Saw will be performed through Sunday, October 1 at The F.M. Kirby Shakespeare Theatre at 36 Madison Avenue, Madison on the campus of Drew University. The show runs for approximately 2 hours with one intermission. Tickets can be purchased by calling the Box Office at 973.408.5600 or by visiting www.shakespeareNJ.org. And be sure to check out their various cost-saving opportunities that include a Bank of America customer discount, student rush tickets, a limited number of Pay What You Can tickets on a first come, first served basis, and the 30 under 30 program.

Photo Credit: Jerry Dalia

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