It’s a lot easier playing Sherlock Holmes than trying to be him.
That’s the crux of the matter in the comedy The Game’s Afoot by Ken Ludwig which makes its Canadian debut July 10-28 at the Coast Capital Playhouse in White Rock, presented by Peninsula Productions, helmed by artistic director Wendy Bollard and featuring Langley actress Rebekah MacEwan.
Ludwig’s artistic conceit in this 1930s farce is to plunge actor William Gillette — historically renowned for creating the role of the great detective in a phenomenally long-running stage adaptation of Conan Doyle’s Baker Street milieu — into a baffling real-life mystery.
When Gillette invites a number of people associated with his theatrical career to his gadget-heavy mock castle in Connecticut on Christmas Eve (with the secret agenda of solving a crime), it quickly becomes evident that his powers as a detective do not approach those of the mythical Holmes.
And therein lies the farce, according to Surrey actor Ben Odberg, who plays Gillette.
Though he’s played comedy before — and his quirky, individualistic interpretations make his dramatic work consistently interesting — Odberg admits this is the first time he’s actually played in a farce.
“I’m loving it,” he said. “It’s been just a blast. I love all the running back and forth, even though we’re not exactly slamming in and out of doors. It’s a lot of fun.”
He’s also relishing the potential for “melodramatic and over-dramatic acting” inherent in the piece, he said.
Odberg is the first to acknowledge that Ludwig’s play riffs on certain elements of the life of the real Gillette, rather than attempting to portray him accurately.
“The real William Gillette was the first actor who was noted because he brought in realism to the stage. That’s not the William Gillette the audience will be getting in this show.”
MacEwan, meanwhile, takes on the role of Aggie.
The Langley actress has performed with the Fraser Valley Gilbert & Sullivan Society on several occasions. She also played Rosalind in Bard in the Valley’s production of As You Like It and Stepmother with White Rock Players.
“I have never done a mystery before. I enjoy the intrigue and growing paranoia.
“And I love the ’30s — the costumes and the hair are so glamorous,” said MacEwan of playing Aggie.
“I just love working with our director, Wendy. She has so much to offer to all of us actors, I’m just trying to lap up all her advice. I love the freedom working with her, and the way she shares her vision. She’s a real gem in the theater world.”
Odberg said while he doesn’t want to spoil any of the twists in the script, the audience should be prepared for a few surprises.
The initial conundrum that begins the play ends up being dwarfed by any even bigger mystery, he said.
“Like all good mysteries, there has to be a murder,” he noted. “And from there, it all spins out of control.”
Although the farcical element is very prominent, there’s a good underlying mystery, with plenty of red herrings thrown in.
“I think people will be waiting to see who did it. It’s a gold mine for people who love mysteries — and for people who love comedy.”
Performances run Wednesday through Saturday at 8 p.m. with Sunday matinees at 2:30 p.m.
For tickets ($23, $18) call 604-536-7535, or order online at www.peninsulaproductions.org.
Coast Capital Playhouse is located at 1532 Johnston Rd. in White Rock.
Full story online at langleytimes.com.