DalTheatre鈥檚 production of William Wycherley鈥檚 The Country Wife hits the stage this week at the Sir James Dunn Theatre. Director James Dodding has returned to Dalhousie for the second time after directing Trelawny of the Wells two years ago, and he hopes to entertain audiences with this 1675 Restoration comedy about an innocent country wife鈥檚 experiences in promiscuous and corrupt London society.
SEE PHOTOS: Meet 'The Country Wife,' a backstage glimpse by Katherine Wooler
SEE PHOTOS: An innocent abroad, an onstage look by Nick Pearce
Mr. Dodding believes 鈥測ou can鈥檛 really change this period,鈥� and he intends to 鈥減resent the author鈥檚 work in as true and honest a way as possible,鈥� while making a few dialogue cuts to facilitate clarity for a modern audience.
The artificial dialogue and provocative innuendo makes Restoration theatre very challenging to direct, says Mr. Dodding, and the script 鈥渄emands an acrobatic wit鈥� from the actors. He praises the acting students for 鈥済iving more than 100 per cent鈥� and holds equal appreciation for the design departments and production crews because of 鈥渢he high standard of detail that they have put into their work.鈥�
The Country Wife features elaborate head-to-toe period costumes for every character, and utilizes an open set with three large doors to accommodate the variety of interior and exterior scenes. Period-specific lighting, sound, and props are equally important to the production, and extensive research has been put into all aspects of the play.
Lighting designer Jeremy Powell says one of the most challenging aspects was creating 鈥渘on-intrusive lighting鈥� that 鈥渄idn鈥檛 look too modern.鈥�
The Country Wife runs from March 30 to April 2, with shows at 8 p.m. March 30, March 31, April 1, and shows at 2 p.m. and 8 p.m. on April 2. Tickets are available through the Dalhousie Arts Centre Box Office. They are $14 regular or $7 students and seniors. Call 494-3820.