The Underpants: Sternheim vs Steve Martin?

The plot (if that’s not too strong a word) of The Underpants revolves around the embarrassment of a repressed wife losing her underwear in a public place while watching the King’s parade.

Sadly, the primary embarrassment of the Theatre Kraken version of the German comedy is the poor quality of the production and some unfortunate directorial choices.

The play, as adapted from Carl Sternheim’s 1910 farce Die Hose, by actor/comedian Steve Martin, is more scatological and sophomoric in its humour than the social commentary on the German bourgeoisie of the period that seems to have been Sternheim’s intent.

The Theatre Kraken production, as directed by Don Fex, emphasizes the cruder aspects of Martin’s version of the comedy and delivers a series of caricatures more often than believable characterizations. In addition, the actors do not always exhibit the physical characteristics or dress mentioned or suggested in the text.

The result of the conflicts between text and visuals and the widely differing acting styles of the cast — ranging from an over-the-top bombastic caricature by Chris Lucas of the husband to an attempt at realism by Chelsea Cowan as his wife — leaves only one performance that is consistently believable. Lawrence Evenchick delivers an effective, amusing and heart-warming portrayal of the downtrodden barber.

Theatre Kraken’s production of The Underpants continues at The Gladstone to January 23.

Director: Don Fex

Set: Grace Solman

Lighting: John Solman

Sound: Don Fex

Costumes: Aline Fournier-Chambers

Cast:

Louise…………………………………………………………Chelsea Cowan

Theo……………………………………………………..……Chris Lucas

Gertrude……………………………………………………….Krista Marchand

Versati…………………………………………………………Troy Ireland

Klinglehoff…………………………………………………….Allan Zander

Cohen………………………………………………………….Lawrence Evenchick

The King……………………………………………………….Andrew Watson