BWW Reviews: THE CHILDREN'S HOUR Still Packs a Punch at Arouet

You might not think that a play from the 1930's would be so resonant today. But in our world where it's so easy to slander someone and spread malicious rumors at the click of a mouse, a play like "The Children's Hour", currently playing from Arouet, feels like an ominous precursor of things to come. And while the attitudes about the situations may have changed, the hurtful nature of gossip remains the same and Arouet's production deftly examines what that kind of hurt can do.

It all boils down to perception in the boarding school run by teachers Karen Wright (Kayla Lian) and Martha Dobie (Lindsay W. Evans) and things start off quite well for them. The school is doing well and Karen is engaged to be married to the local Doctor Joe Cardin (Tom Stewart). But when an overly entitled young girl, Mary (Rachel Sedwick), comes to the school and isn't happy with not being able to get away with whatever she wants, she concocts a story about the two teachers being lesbian lovers that could destroy their careers and their lives.

The play itself is still a quite solid work that just drives right on through and bowls you over with its hard hitting arc. And Director Daniel Wood does a fine job keeping that pacing going so we never languish too long in one moment. But the production still manages to have a few potholes along the way keeping it from being as stunning as it could be. Sedwick makes for a fine "mean girl" and conveys well a character that you just want to shake some sense into but she, along with some of the younger girls in the play, occasionally fell into an anachronistic trap and sounded more like mean girls of 2015 and not so much of 1934. And there is a difference. Mary Murfin Bayley as Mary's doting Grandmother makes for a fine dupe for Mary to manipulate but felt a little rushed in her delivery at times. Sally Brady turns in a fine performance, if not a little single noted, as Martha's self centered Aunt. And Stewart takes on the role of the devoted fiancé wonderfully making him a quite likable man trying to make the best of a bad situation.

But the play is really about the relationship and the journey of these two women who may or may not be what this young girl says they are and Lian and Evans are quite powerful in the roles. Lian's journey from strong to broken is lovely and heartbreaking and never goes over the top. And Evans' arc while being more subtle is never the less incredibly powerful especially her Act Two confession which filled the theater with a palpable tension. And both women keep their characters very honest and real to the period and to each other.

So this thought provoking piece may start off a little shaky but once it finds its footing it takes off on quite an emotionally thrilling ride. And so with my three letter rating system I give "The Children's Hour" a solid MEH+ bordering on a YAY. A riveting ending that stumbled a bit on its way.

"The Children's Hour" from Arouet performs at the Ballard Underground through May 31st. For tickets or information visit them online at www.arouet.us.

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