The Wabash Theatre Department staged its final production of the school year, A Flea in Her Ear, which runs Wednesday night through Saturday. A bedroom farce by French playwright Georges Feydeau, A Flea in Her Ear is a light comedy that involves a rapid recombination of characters with unlikely plots and slamming doors, and it will feature several students, professors, and one of the modern language interns.
The story, set in nineteenth century Paris, concerns Mrs. Raymonde Chandebise, who doubts her husband’s (Victor Emmanuel Chandebise) fidelity. Writing a romantic letter in the guise of her dearest friend’s (Lucienne) handwriting, she invites her husband to a disreputable hotel; however, believing that the invitation was not meant for him, Victor invites his dear friend Tournel, who, unbeknownst to Victor, lusts after Raymonde. Victor then shows the letter to Lucienne’s husband Carlos, a fiery Spaniard who storms after his wife in a fit of jealousy to murder her. Victor pursues him, and all the characters meet at the infamous hotel where confusion and violence ensues.
The play, directed by professor of theater Prof. James Phillips (his first play at Wabash), is one of France’s most famous farces, full of slamming doors, close calls, and multiple entrances and exits. “The setting is this world where chaos is about to overtake everything,” said Professor Phillips. “It seems like we’re hopelessly on the verge of being out of control.”
A Flea in Her Ear employs mistaken identity as a method of humor, double casting actors Matt Goodrich ’09 and Patrick McAlister ’10, as well as visiting actress Sara Locker.
In addition to several students filling out roles, professor of Spanish Dr. Isabel Jaen-Portillo and French intern Ms. Emilie Darbois will also star in the production.
Professor Jaen-Portillo, who admitted, “I’ve been a theatre girl all my life,” was excited to take on her role. “I really love theatre. I’ve done it a long time, mostly as the director, or doing male roles. I haven’t done any acting for about ten years, so I thought I would do it now. It’s a tight schedule between teaching, academics, and play practice, but I figure, if the students here can do it, then so can I.”
“They needed someone French,” said Ms. Darbois. “What’s awkward, but also interesting, is that I’m speaking English but in a French accent. And of course the play was written by someone who is French, so they may need me linguistically, to help them pronounce certain words.”
Both ladies will be starring as females in the play, though interestingly they are accustomed to male roles; however, an aspect that both ladies enjoy is the concord they have with the student actors.
“Acting with the students is fun and really cool,” said Ms. Darbois.
“Wabash is a school where we can do things together,” said Professor Jaen-Portillo. “In other institutions, there is no mixing like this. This is a great opportunity.”
Student actor Christian Krenk ’10 has been enthusiastic for the debut for some time.
“It should be a huge success,” said Mr. Krenk. “There should be a lot of good humor. It’s something that all guys at Wabash will definitely enjoy, because there’s some women in the play as well as a couple of professors and it should be fun watching them interact with students. Overall it has been fun to be part of the production”
A Flea in Her Ear will debut Wednesday, April 16, at 8:00 P.M. in Ball Theater, and will continue through Saturday, April 19.
“Well,” said Jaen-Portillo, “it’s tough to juggle teaching and academics and working on the play. I practice from 7:00 to 10:00 P.M., Sunday through Thursday, and it often goes after that. I get home at midnight some nights. I’m tired then, but I’m happy. It’s totally worth it, because it’s charging me up with energy, which I really need at this time of year. That’s a bit of a paradox, I suppose.”
“I’m only in one act, so I practice twice a week,” said Darbois. “And I have less academic work than Isabelle. But I totally agree. Working on the play is a great way of forgetting and leaving everything behind. You work hard and get tired, but at the same time feel better.”
Another aspect that both Dr. Portillio and Ms. Darbois enjoy is the concord they enjoy with the student actors.
“Acting with the students is fun and really cool,” said Darbois.
“Wabash is a school where we can do things together,” said Jaen-Portillo. “In other institutions, there is no mixing like this. This is a great opportunity.
A Flea in Her Ear debuted Wednesday, April 16, at 8:00 P.M. in Ball Theater, and will continue through Saturday, April 19.