Theater review: ‘Doors’ wild, open; closes Saturday

The Santa Maria Civic Theatre’s new play, “Communicating Doors,” is a seamless exercise in suspense with a good dose of sexual humor and the right amount of sweetness.

The play, written by Alan Ayckbourn and directed by Bob Larsen, starts out when Poopay, a dominatrix, or “specialized sexual consultant,” is called into the Regal Hotel in London, where the play is set. She begins saying the necessary naughty things to the curt middle-aged man, Julian, who’s in the room when she enters. The man starts talking to someone in the bedroom, who sounds very old and not quite healthy.

To her dismay, Poopay realizes she is assigned to the older man. Poopay attempts to leave but Julian orders her to stay and relax.

“He can’t even tie his shoelaces,” she protests. She fears what her services will do to him. Julian, unconcerned, tells her to call him when they’re done.

Reece, the older man, tells Poopay to sit down next to him on the couch and make herself comfortable. She cringes and repeats, “I just don’t think this is going to work out.”

What he wants, it turns out, is not sex, but something that will get her involved in a much more intimate way. Slowly he reveals that he is responsible for the deaths of his first and second wives, who were killed by Julian for the benefit of Reece’s career while he shut his eyes.

All Reece wants is a witness — and an errand. He pleads with her to deliver his written confession, signed by her, to one of his attorneys.

Julian finds out that she has signed Reece’s confession and knows what he’s done. She temporarily escapes from Julian by running into a cupboard, which takes her to another room 20 years in the past. She tries to change the past, with the help of people she meets there, and complications ensue.

The complexity and intensity of the well-written script is expertly drawn out through the different aspects of the production.

The actors fit their roles effortlessly. Irene Dahmen is versatile and passionate as Poopay, and as Phoebe, a goddess in the past. Her thick accent and flirtatious sexuality are appropriate for her role as a dominatrix in the beginning. She shines the most in portraying Phoebe’s vulnerability as she bonds with Ruella, Reece’s second wife in the past, and in conveying her horror and shock at dealing with Julian.

Katie Cornell as Reece’s first wife, Jessica, is consistent as a brainless heiress. Kelly Greenup is a flawless Ruella. Don Schuettee does a good job of shifting gears while playing Julian, whose character you see develop malignantly from dominant and a little rude to downright psychotic. (It’s a great change from the charismatic Joseph, whom he played in the SMCT’s holiday production “My Three Angels,” and a testament to his versatility as an actor.)

Iain Freckleton as Harold Palmer deserves a mention. He’s the straight man who provides comic relief and a useful and important role in the play’s action.

A great set was created once again, with everything having a purpose.

Despite the gravity of the plot, the play has plenty of moments of hilarity, especially when sexual humor is concerned. The play is not for children, as jokes about homosexuality, bisexuality, threesomes, prostitution and sadomasochism are made. The jokes lighten up what would otherwise be an especially intense experience. That, and a sweetness develops when the relationship between Phoebe and Ruella blooms. Ruella is a caring woman, as well as an honest one, and Phoebe is vulnerable beneath her seemingly self-preserving exterior.

The play’s complexity and tightness, its talented actors, well-designed set, well-written script and flawless execution make “Communicating Doors” an articulate pathway to a range of human states, and a great night spent at the theater.

FYI:

Show times for “Communicating Doors” are May 2, May 3, May 9, May 10, May 16, and May 17 at the Santa Maria Civic Theatre, 1660 N. McClelland St. Each show begins at 8 p.m. Tickets cost $12. For more information or reservations, call 922-4442 or visit www.smct.org.

Bettina Adragna can be reached by phone at 739-2220, or by e-mail at badragna@santamariatimes .com.