Expeditions in Laughland: 'The Explorer’s Club' at ICTRep
This critic hasn't spent such a pleasurable two hours in quite some time.
“The Explorer’s Club” and “Mary Poppins” have two things in common: affectionate burlesque of the British Empire and “I Love to Laugh,” which Ed Wynn sang about in the film, and which you’ll be doing in the theater.
Nell Banjamin’s farce is not formulaic or shallow: Its wit is quick, its props abundant (animals “live” and stuffed, reproducing plants, generous bar inventory), and its physicality fresh. (Why does an Irish rebel enter via a somersault, you ask? Well, why not?)
I’ve not spent such a pleasurable two hours in quite some time.
Directed by Julie Longhofter, “The Explorer’s Club” features a collection of oddball “scientists” smug in their certainty that life in Jolly Old England will always be exactly as it is circa 1879. Britain rules the globe, women are not allowed (anywhere), and all is well. Why, even two men specializing in opposite fields — predators and prey — can be best friends.
Into the mix come shocking interlopers: a “savage” from a newly discovered village half a world away and a person of the aforementioned verboten gender. The snake and the guinea pig, well … life gets chaotic.
"The Explorer's Club" cast includes Nilo Reynoso as terrible explorer Harry Percy, Holland Lee Kiser as plucky interloper Phyllida, Hunter Bartholomew as botanist Lucius Fretway, and James Earlywine as the peculiarly colored Luigi. Courtesy photos by Kyle Woods for ICTRep.
The ensemble cast features strong performances throughout by Hunter Bartholomew (unfortunately for Wichita, his final performance here), Holland Lee Kiser, James Earlywine, Torey Wilson, Matthew Gwinner, Jackson Dorris, Nilo Reynoso, JR Hurst, and Coleman Adams. The lavish set (Stan Longhofer) and costumes (Christy Cunningham Railsback) boast four (if I counted right) stuffed and mounted trophies, a full British naval officer uniform complete with ludicrous cap, gorgeous Victorian gowns, and a blue-skinned character with a coif reminiscent of Sideshow Bob of “Simpsons” fame (makeup and hair by Rylee Bartholomew).
Performances continue this weekend, at 7:30 p.m. Friday and Sunday and 2 p.m. Saturday. Learn more and purchase tickets on the ICTRep website.
Support Kansas arts writing
The SHOUT is a Wichita-based independent newsroom focused on artists living and working in Kansas. We're partly supported by the generosity of our readers, and every dollar we receive goes directly into the pocket of a contributing writer, editor, or photographer. Click here to support our work with a tax-deductible donation.
