Front Row Centre Review: CANDIDA

 

You don't have to go all the way to Niagara-on-the-Lake to see a production of one of George Bernard Shaw's plays.  In a curious coincidence, the same night as the annual Shaw Festival opened there, Stage Centre Productions began a run of one of Shaw's most popular comedies, CANDIDA at Fairview Library Theatre.

 

Written in 1887, CANDIDA tells the fascinating story of one day in the life of Reverend Morell. The parson learns that his beloved wife Candida has become the object of the affections of young Eugene Marchbanks. She is all too aware of the passionate feelings she has aroused in the poet, and ultimately must choose between the two men.

 

It's a simple premise, and one that Shaw uses to introduce his philosophical ideas on love, marriage, Christian Socialism (and by extension, all religion), and above all womankind.  The playwright loves to set ordinary, though well educated people in unusual circumstances and then use these characters to expound his philosophies. So, while there is not a great deal of action, the plays are fully packed with ideas.

 

What makes Shaw's plays tricky to stage – and even the Shaw Festival has occasionally run aground – is that the subject material can sometimes get in the way of the entertainment. To really work, the productions need performers who can deliver the lines crisply yet rooted in character.

 

In the title role, Debbie Yuen is poise personified. From the moment she enters midway through the first scene, all eyes are drawn to her. Candida knows this and uses it to her considerable advantage, yet without ever showing her hand.  It is a remarkable performance to watch and enjoy.

 

Yuen is given fine support by Lawrence Stevenson as her doting husband, Brad Emes as her lovesick admirer and Roger Kell as her loving father. Bev Owen scores a few comic scenes of her own as the parson's prim and proper secretary, and Edward Karek manages to milk a number of laughs as the young and enthusiastic curate.

 

As directed by L. Garth Allen, the performers move confidently around the well-designed drawingroom set, while espousing Shaw's ideas on Fabian Socialism. There are, however, moments as in most of the playwright's work where the characters simply sit and talk to one another and while not the most visually arresting sequences, these are the moments where the play's core ideals are presented.

 

The cast and director have collaborated beautifully to bring out the richness of Shaw's text, but CANDIDA rises or falls with its leading lady and fortunately – thanks to Debbie Yuen's sensitive performance, this production is a complete success.    

 

 

 

CANDIDA, presented by Stage Centre Productions at Fairview Library Theatre (35 Fairview Mall Drive) continues until May 20^th. Evening performances are at 8 PM Thursday through Saturday with a 2 PM matinee on Sunday May 14th.  Tickets are $25 and available by calling the box office at (416) 299-5557.

 

 

 

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