‘Accused!’ is the final (and funniest) of a trilogy of plays by Patricia Milton, featuring The Victorian Ladies Detective Collective, consisting of Valeria Hunter (Jan Zvaifler), her sister Loveday Fortescue (Lauren Dunagan), and their actress friend, Chelsea Bearce (Katie Smalls). These actresses have been excellent in these parts throughout the trilogy, but now they may be truly accused of going over the top comedically. Valeria Hunter, a gardening fanatic, possible murderess, and maker of inedible scones is perhaps the best of many of Jan Zvaifler’s comedic creations. As Chelsea Bearce, Katie Smalls is hilarious as she wields a small fan as a lethal weapon. Lauren Dunagan’s portrayal of Loveday Fortescue simpers deliciously and wickedly.
The plot of accused revolves around a murder connected to a group of anarchists, a fiesty police inspector (played by Sindu Singh) and several additional characters played with charismatic indulgence by the truly hilarious Alan Coyne. I last saw Coyne in Golden Gate Park hanging upside down from a jungle gym juggling teacups as The Mad Hatter in We Players’ production of “Alice In Wonderland.” Now, that is certainly a hard act to beat, but Coyne’s comic Frenchman, M. Blancmange, puts the Mad Hatter to shame. This actors’ versatility is not to be sneezed at! He steals the show, but barely.
The various plot complications allow for plenty of sly political and feminist wit from the ever-clever Ms. Milton.
Performed in the gloriously appropriate setting of a parlor in the Berkeley City Club (architect Julia Morgan’s famous “Little Castle”), “Accused!” is a truly delightful way to pass an elegant evening of fun, satire, and joyful goofiness.
‘Accused’ plays at the Berkeley City Club through August 11. For further information, click here.
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Rating: *** (For an explanation of TheatreStorm’s rating system, click here.)
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“Accused” by Patricia Milton. Presented by Central Works. Director: Kimberly Ridgeway. Wig designer: Michael Berg. Costume designer: Tammy Berlin. Dialect coach: Alan Coyne. Light designer: Ashley Munday. Fan fight choreography: Asha Rodgers/Maria Rodgers. Prop designer: Alexandria Volk. Sound designer: Gregory Sharpen.
Cast:
Lord Albert/Deacon Manley/M. Blancmange: Alan Coyne. Valeria Hunter: Jan Zvaifler. Loveday Fortescue: Lauren Dunagan. Katie Smalls: Chelsea Bearce. Dinsu Singh: Allison Tinglepenny/Inspector Perkins.
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