Benefit farce on at Hudson Village Theatre

BY HOLLIE WATSON

The quintessential bedroom farce being presented by Hudson Village Theatre brings together some of the region’s best-known actors in this upcoming benefit for the professional company.

"A Flea in Her Ear was written by French playwright Georges Feydeau at the turn of the 20th century. It’s his most produced play; this translation we’re using from the 1960s has been very widely staged,” said artistic director Andrew Johnston.

“A critic once said it was the funniest play ever written. It’s the grandmother of all door farces — the standard by which all others are measured.”

Witty dialogue and physical comedy characterize this quick-paced production, which opens tomorrow night for a series of eight performances.

“A Flea in Her Ear is all about sex. A woman believes her husband is having an affair, and sets a trap for him,” Johnston explained.

She enlists the help of her best friend in arranging a liason at a hotel, but their plans backfire and “all hell breaks loose,” leading to confused identities, misplaces jealousies, and comic mayhem.

In recent years, fundraisers have become a yearly event for the troupe.

“Like most theatre companies, finances are a principal preoccupation. For all our productions during the regular season, ticket sales account for 50 per cent of what it costs to run the company. We have an annual budget of half a million dollars, so we have to generate an additional $200,000 to $250,000, which we raise through grants, sponsorships, corporate packages, and a mail-in campaign.”

Hudson Village Theatre is housed in the town’s historic train station, 28 Wharf Rd. A Flea in her Ear runs tomorrow and Friday at 8 p.m., Saturday at 2 and 8 p.m. and Sunday at 2. It continues April 3 and 4 at 8 p.m., April 5 at 2 and 8 p.m., and on April 6 at 2. For ticket reservations call 450-458-5361 or check www.villagetheatre.ca.