Review of 'A Flea in Her Ear' at Westport Country Playhouse

Pictured above: L-R: Elizabeth Heflin, Antoinette Robinson in “A Flea in Her Ear” – Credit Evan Krape

Westport, CT - A FLEA IN HER EAR is a co-production between the Delaware REP and Westport Country Playhouse that runs through July 28 in Westport. This lavish production is a new version of Georges Feydeau's farce written by David Ives (VENUS IN FUR) and is directed by Mark Lamos.

Mr. Lamos describes this work that he has always longed to direct aptly as a “wind up Swiss watch of a farce.” He calls the company of 14 actors “a group of perfectionist who were determined to find the freshness of this 111-year old play.” I would say that they succeeded mightily; the players had to work very hard just to keep up with the breakneck speed of this very funny farce.

A FLEA IN HER EAR is an over-the-top, madcap comedy full of the requisite slamming doors, mistaken identities and wild confusion set in Paris during the Belle Epoque era. Raymonde is a turn-of-the-century Parisian housewife who has begun to doubt the fidelity of her husband. She gets a “flea in her ear” and sets a letter writing trap that launches the plot into chaotic motion. It was translated from the French, which is only apparent in a few sections.

The professionals in the ensemble cast managed to make it look very easy to carry off the intricate moves involving the three slamming doors, the props and did I mention the rotating bed? There was not a weak link in this ensemble that kept us entertained throughout the three acts; I will mention each one in no particular order.

Elizabeth Heflin plays Raymonde Chandebise in her Westport Country Playhouse debut. She is the woman who gets "a flea in her ear" when she thinks her husband is having an affair, it is her letter writing trap that throws the plot into chaotic motion. Ms. Heflin looked stunning in her magnificent period costumes and brought considerable stage presence to the role.

Lee E. Ernst pulled double duty as Victor Chandebise, as well as the hotel bellhop, Poche in his Westport Country Playhouse debut. Mr. Ernst was believable in both roles and without a doubt had to pull off the quickest quick changes, which he did with aplomb (and I hope a backstage dresser.)

Wynn Harmon (A CHRISTMAS CAROL at Westport Country Playhouse twice) played Baptiste, the drunken uncle of the militaristic owner of the Frisky Puss Hotel. John Rensenhouse played hotel owner Feraillon with loud bravado as was warranted in his debut at this venue.

Mic Matarrase was a laugh riot in the role of Camille Chandebise. His comical speech impediment that leads to mishaps and frustration for everyone around him was a vocal and acting masterpiece.

Deena Burke played Olympia, the wife of Ferraillon, in a fantastically wide skirt that took on a life of its own. Laura Frye played Eugenie the hotel maid with another great skirt and sky high hairdo.

In his debut at Westport Country Playhouse, Hassan El-Amin took on the role of Dr. Finache, a friend and confidant of the Chandebise couple, who becomes mired in the confusion.

Robert Adelman Hancock was silly and randy as Rugby, an English patron of the Frisky Puss Hotel, who gets caught in the chaos as he tries to seduce three different women at once.

Michael Gotch commanded the stage as the jealous husband Don Carlos de Histangua in his debut at this venue, Antoinette Robinson played the lovely Lucienne Homenides de Histangua in her Westport debut in a spectacular French ensemble that slowly fell apart.

David Beach (Script-in-Hand playreading series) returned to this stage to play Etienne, the comically nosy butler.

The Frisky Puss Hotel is supposed to be a place of debauchery and Parisian decadence and set designer Kristen Robinson (MFA from Yale) captured it well. The comfortable French living room set for the first and final acts were equally effective. Lighting design by Matthew Richards managed to bring it up another notch and sound by Fitz Patton was seamless.

Costume Designer Sara Jean Tosetti designed the lavish, Belle Epoque period Parisian clothing. The word “colorful” is an understatement and the lavish design was spectacular. Ms. Tosetti, who is originally from Paris France, captured the era perfectly and her designs impressed me from the first time I saw them in promotional photos. At the time I had not idea that they were also required to shall we say “downgrade,” so this aspect made their design even more impressive.

Overall I was most impressed with the level of professionalism of absolutely everything at Westport Country Playhouse, a venue that I have not recently reviewed. This laugh-filled farce is truly a feast for the eyes bolstered by excellent performances. The co-production with Delaware REP runs from July 10-28 on the Playhouse stage.

Nancy Sasso Janis has been writing theatre reviews since 2012 as a way to support local theatre venues. She posts reviews of well over 100 productions each year. In 2016, she became a member of the Connecticut Critics Circle. She continues to contribute theatre news, previews, and audition notices to local Patch sites. Reviews of all levels of theatrical productions are posted on Naugatuck Patch and the Patch sites closest to the venue. Follow the reviewer on her Facebook pages Nancy Sasso Janis: Theatre Reviewer