|
An Enchanted Evening in Samolo
by Rich Reinhart
On Wednesday, August 22nd, the Antaeus Company of Los Angeles presented a lively staged reading of K. M. Williams' Ah, Samolo!, a two-act comedy based on Noel Coward's only novel, Pomp and Circumstance. The small theater in North Hollywood was packed with an appreciative audience which included West Coast members of the Noel Coward Society. Ken Starrett, North American Director of the Noël Coward Society, was also present as a very special guest from the other coast.
 | |
L. to R. Antonio Jaramillo, Laura Wernette, Eve Gordon, Rhonda Aldrich, Janelle Steininger, Mikael Salazar, Reba Waters Thomas, Kitty Swink, Ned Schmidtke, Barry Creyton, Lynn Milgrim, Jaemyeong Lee, Elizabeth Swain, Abby Wilde. Photo by Karianne Flaathen.
|
 | |
L. to R. Kitty Swink, Antonio Jaramillo, Reba Waters Thomas. Photo by Karianne Flaathen.
|
Set in 1956 on the (fictional) Island of Samolo in the South Pacific - a proud colony of the then dwindling British Empire - Ah, Samolo! centers on preparations for a royal visit from young Queen Elizabeth II and her dashing husband, Prince Philip. The British inhabitants of the island are thrilled at the prospect of meeting the royal couple. They plan an elaborate water pageant to entertain them, the rehearsals for which go predictably astray. In the meantime, the English continue their customary island activities - gossiping, having casual affairs, and drinking strong beverages - especially a concoction called a horse's neck.
 | |
L. to R. Elizabeth Swain, Abby Wilde. Photo by Karianne Flaathen
|
The reading was skillfully directed by Elizabeth Swain and featured a cast of classically-trained actors adept at mining every ounce of humor in Coward and Williams' dialogue.
Kitty Swink portrayed the central role of Grizel Craigie - a 40ish woman whom everyone relies on to solve their personal, political, and romantic difficulties - with a mixture of quiet exasperation and stiff-upper-lip resolve. Her dead-pan reactions to the chaos around her spoke volumes. Ned Schmidtke ably played her supportive husband, Robin, who, when not consoling Grizel, runs a banana plantation.
Laura Wernette brought a charming combination of innocence and unabashed selfishness to the scene-stealing role of Eloise, Duchess of Fowey. Mikael Salazar was effectively clueless as her would-be lover, Bunny. Eloise's husband, Droopy, was played to droll perfection by Barry Creyton.
 | |
L. to R. Barry Creyton, Laura Wernette, Ned Schmidtke. Photo by Kariane Flaathen.
|
 | |
Mikael Salazar. Photo by Karianne Flaathen.
|
Jaemyeong Lee stood out as Ke'ela Alioa, a Samolan native whose radio broadcasts slyly mock the foolishness of the British Raj in Samolo. Antonio Jaramillo played the Craigie's loyal servant, Tahali, with dignity and occasional bafflement. And director Elizabeth Swain doubled as both Grizel's mother, and Molly Frobisher, reading ironic letters from London.
 | |
L. to R. Jaemyeong Lee, Lynn Milgrim, Kitty Swink. Photo by Karianne Flaathen.
|
 | |
L. to R. Rhonda Aldrich, Janellen Steininger. Photo by Karianne Flaathen.
|
The remaining ensemble - Reba Waters Thomas (Sandra), Janellen Steininger (Daphne), Lynn Milgrim (Mrs. Innes-Glendower), Rhonda Aldrich (Lydia), and Eve Gordon (Ursula) - portrayed British colonials who do their best to live large in this small corner of the Empire. Their performances ranged from the stately to the hilarious. The witty stage directions were read with great aplomb by Abby Wilde.
 | |
L. to R. Kitty Swink, Eve Gordon, Rhonda Aldrich. Photo by Karianne Flaathen.
|
After the reading a reception was held in the theater's library/green room. It gave the audience an opportunity to mingle with the cast, the playwright, the director, and Mr. Starrett. It was also a chance to sip champagne and share stories about Noel Coward and his dazzling body of work. A splendid time was had by all.
Author K. M. Williams assures us her play is still a work in progress. Clocking in at more than two and one half hours, the comedy could use some judicious trimming. But based on what we saw at the reading, Ah, Samolo! is well on its way to becoming a delightfully amusing and faithful adaptation of Coward's paean to the mythical isle of Samolo.
 | |
East Meets West. NCS members: Dennis Chernoff and Sara Muller-Chernofff; Ken Starrettt, Barry Creyton, Kathy Williams, Michael Menzies, Dan Putman, and Rich Reinhart. Photo by Karianne Flaathen.
|
Rich Reinhart is a former television writer and producer who lives in Southern California. His long list of writing credits includes Growing Pains, Family Ties, Night Court,and Barney Miller. Rich is also a playwright, old-movie buff, and a proud member of The Noël Coward Society.
back to top
|
