SARASOTA – On Friday, Urbanite Theatre in downtown Sarasota debuted its latest production, The Drowning Girls,
a 2008 Canadian play co-written by Beth Graham, Charlie Tomlinson and
Daniela Vlaskalic that depicts England’s "Brides in the Bath" murders of
the early 20th century.
A 70-minute, no-intermission
play in which the only characters are three dead brides and a set that
consists of the three bathtubs they were drowned in is a tall order
indeed. However, Urbanite co-founder Brendan Ragan directs a
perfectly-cast trio through a thoroughly-engaging drama that manages
considerable relevance even a century after the depicted events.
Bessie, Alice and Margaret were all wooed by an English con artist named George Joseph Smith–whose
actual picture appears on set in the play. In each case, the vulnerable
brides describe the wedding as the highlight of their life, though, in
turn, they also describe the quick let down that follows.
Carley Cornelius, Katherine Michelle Tanner and Nicole Jeannine Smith.
Photo by Cliff Roles
The
play’s pace is tight, with each actress quickly shifting into multiple
roles–even Smith–as one of the others tells her tale. What makes the
production work so well is that the three actresses cast are
equally-talented contemporaries with considerable on-stage chemistry.
Without three powerhouse brides, each of whom has the chops to hang with
the other two, the play could quickly fall apart.
Renowned
Tampa stage vet Nicole Jeannine Smith is fabulous as Bessie, who does
much of the narration. Bessie is also the most spirited of the three
wives, which seems well suited for Smith. Chicago-based actress Carley
Cornelius is equally impressive as Alice, the more vulnerable and
subdued victim. FSU/Asolo Conservatory alum Katherine Michelle Tanner, who has quickly parlayed her local
success into a very promising early career, returns as Margaret, the
naive final victim and turns in a very memorable performance.
Photo by Cliff Roles
The
stage set, designed by Rew Tippin and built by master carpenter Mark
Beach, is one of the company’s most ambitious yet, with the actresses
sloshing water on-stage as they get in and out of the tubs, and steam
pouring from running shower heads, all in an eloquently appointed
bathroom.
As impressive as the play itself, is Regan and
co-founder Summer Dawn Wallace’s continued ability to attract top flight
actors with off-the-beaten path plays in order to inject a breath of
new life onto the local theater scene. With each production, I notice
audiences getting a bit younger, which suggests that Urbanite is doing
more than its share in the ever-important task of cultivating new
generations of theatergoers to help ensure the viability of local
theater’s future.
The Drowning Girls runs April 22-May 22 at Urbanite Theatre in downtown Sarasota. Click hereto visit their website for ticket and calendar information.
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