OLT’s Cliffhanger sparing in its entertainment value

 

 

Cliffhanger by James Yaffe. Directed by Joe O’Brien. Playing at the  Ottawa Little Theatre to Nov. 3

Cliffhanger is at best an indifferent play, and whatever strengths it does possess are not well-served by Ottawa Little Theatre’s current production.

Playwright James Yaffe’s apparent intention was to write a dark comedy-thriller about the world of academia while also attempting to bolster it with the more serious intent of examining the true meaning of ethical conduct.

Hence, we’re introduced to Henry Lowenthal, a long-tenured philosophy professor preparing to stave off his impending retirement by taking on a new job as chair of the humanities department. We have his loyal and at times alarmingly pragmatic wife, Polly. And we have the scorpion in this scenario — the pushy, vindictive and vengeful Edith Wilshire, a department colleague who is determined to bring Henry down.

It’s an intriguing set-up, and Yaffe does have the ability to spring surprises on the audience. An academic himself, Yaffe also shows a familiarity with the world of the play. Departmental rivalry is one ingredient he dishes up. Another is a student named Melvin McMullen who won’t take no for an answer when he tries to wheedle Henry into giving him a pass mark.

The moment will come when Henry and Polly are faced with various challenges — the disposal of a body, the threat of blackmail, and a visit from a policeman. But by this time, thanks to the sluggishness of this production, we’re more aware of the play’s deficiencies than its entertainment potential.

The script is psychologically naive and logically full of holes. There’s moment when Henry and Polly,  their lives engulfed in crisis, start dreamily dancing to some Cole Porter music — and quite frankly, it’s ridiculous.

A small statue of Socrates, does figure prominently in the plot, and Yaffe is able to come up with some witty bits of dialogue regarding academic culture and the disciplines imposed by a philosophic life, but they’re not well-served here. There’s a reference to poet Allen Ginsberg that is genuinely funny — except that it gets no laughs in Joe O’Brien’s tone-deaf production.

The early scenes between Henry, played by Tony Keenleyside, and Polly, played by Janet Banigan, are painfully stilted and awkward. Keenleyside eventually relaxes more into the role, although rarely getting beyond an amiable blandness. As for the avenging Edith, an atrociously written character, Dorothy Charbonneau never gets beyond the aggressively one-dimensional.

Paul Washer is at ease in the role of a policeman who has Columbo’s mannerisms but not his astuteness. The best performance comes from Gabriel DeRooy, nervy and persistent, in the role of the failed student. Does the evening justify its title? Not really.

 

Director: Joe O’Brien

Set Design: Tom Pidgeon

Lighting: John Solman

Costumes: Glynis Ellens

 

Henry Lowenthal: Tony Keenleyside

Polly Lowenthal: Janet Banigan

Edith Wilshire: Dorothy Charbonneau

Melvin McMullen: Gabriel DeRooy

Dave DeVito: Paul Washer