It takes two, they say. The same can be said for making a play.
The world premiere of Bemused will be presented at Theatre North West from April 24 to May 14.
The slapstick comedy is a concoction created by Peter Fenton and Scott White, who are based out of Toronto.
The play is a comedy set in the 1940s where two washed-up, pickled Broadway producers, a high-strung husband and wife song-writing duo from Wisconsin, their daredevil child, a singing chamber maid, the world's oldest tap-dancing bellhop and a frighteningly clever skunk are all crammed into American composer Cole Porter's apartment.
The two playwrights, who are big Turner Classic Movie fans, visited the set last week and will be at previews and the opening night of the show.
The 1940s was a time in history - post-depression and a time of war - where people really needed to laugh and forget their troubles for a while, said White.
"At the core of those comedies were real people," said White, who also created the music and lyrics for the show. "So as crazy, as wacky and heightened as things get, people could really relate to characters that were going through hardship. People laughed openly and felt openly because they related to the fact that sometimes it's nice to see that people can struggle against outrageous odds and still somehow come out on the other side. Our hope with this show is that our audience will relate."
The process of presenting an established play is very different from presenting a new work.
"In a piece like this where movement is such a key part, you have to be here to see it actually
happening on stage so you can all of a sudden go 'oh, that didn't work'," said Fenton. "What works in your mind doesn't necessarily work on stage. By being here it's given us an incredible opportunity to see it through the process so we know that what we intend on happening is actually possible."
White said it is also a lesson in play writing for the duo to see if they were able to communicate what they saw on stage in their mind's eye to the reality on set at Theatre North West's first world premiere.
"Then we are resources to the cast and director (Kevin McKendrick) if they have a challenge that is difficult to resolve," said White. "Sometimes that's resolved by writing a line differently or it's something we haven't communicated effectively. So we know how it works but we haven't put it on the page in a meaningful way."
With all that being said, White explained, this is a screwball comedy, brought to a farcical level, with lots of physical comedy.
"The cast and crew is remarkable and there's a great feeling of team here," White added.
There's also live music, and some cast members have to be able to sing, play piano and dance.
"We're so excited to be here," said Fenton. "Because it's the world premiere, to see the reaction of that first audience is going to be so incredible. The words on the page are dead, but then you put it in the hands of the actors and in front of an audience and it comes to life."
White said he's so confident about Theatre North West's talented ensemble, the playwrights know the production will exceed their expectations for Bemused.
To see the world premiere, tickets are available at Books & Co., 1685 Third Ave., or call 250-614-0039.
