Patricia Nicklin is a frequent actor on stage at the Little Theatre of Alexandria and she's up there again, this time as the star of Lettice and Lovage, a British comedy Peter Shaffer wrote for Dame Maggie Smith.
In 1990 Ms. Smith won the Tony Award for her performance of the daffy lady whose circumstances bring her together with another goofy woman, Lotte Schoen (Rachael Hubbard), their conversations, frictions, and relationship the story describes.
Whew!
And that's what you might say after listening to these two swat word circles for a while.
Ms. Nicklin is Lettice, a tour guide at an historic English country house where the detailed Ms. Schoen objects to Lettice's embellishments of events, and away they go.
Naturally, common ground is found between them and a common drink which Lotte consumes a lotte of the concoction Lettice brings to the table.
Ms. Hubbard's portrayal of a increasingly drunk lady is spot on!
When it all goes pear-shaped, you know something's up!
Joan Lawrence has fashioned dowdy costumes to fit these two whose characters need no more sparkle anyway.
Indeed, they are jolly good sports at chin-wagging.(?)
For a fan of British humor, this script will tickle your fancies, I dare say.
As they say across the Atlantic, Lettice is "a picnic short of a sandwich."
Other cast members are James Blacker, Tegan Cohen, Colin Davies, Nicole "Nicki" Gray, and Nicole Lamberson.
The production crew: Hilary Adams, dialects; Kirstin Apker, set decoration; Juli Tarabek Blacker, director; Julie Fischer, set design; Allison Gray-Mendes, properties and technical director; Kira Hogan and Ramah Johnson, stage managers; and JK Lighting Design.
Also, Janet Kennelly, assistant set painter; Chanel Lancaster, hair and makeup; Manuel Medina, sound; Dan Remmers, master carpenter; sheri ratick stroud and Griffin Voltmann, producers; Mona Wargo, set painting; Robin Worthington, wardrobe coordinator; and Russell M. Wyland, rigging.
When: Now through March 18, 2023, Wednesday - Saturday nights, 8 p.m.; Sunday matinees, 3 p.m.
Where: Little Theatre of Alexandria, 600 Wolfe St., Alexandria, VA 22314
Tickets: $24, weekdays; $27, weekends (These prices include fees.)
Masks are required in the auditorium and strongly encouraged but optional in other areas of the theatre.
Language: Rated "G"
Duration: About 2.5 hours with one 15 minute intermission
Public transportation: Check the Metro and Dash bus websites. Dash is free to ride and has routes which are close to LTA.
Parking: On the streets and in many garages nearby with free parking during performances at Capital One Bank at Wilkes and Washington streets.
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