Published: September 05, 2007
Stage Review: Communicating Doors
By Robert Hitchcox 
Review Communicating doors are doors that are joined, often found in hotels between adjoining rooms. Both doors are locked in each room. Accessibility is only available when both doors are unlocked. Communicating Doors is a charming, amusing, excellent play from the obtuse pen of Alan Ayckbourn, brilliantly directed by Esther Emery, and the current hit at Cygnet Theatre.
The setting is an elegant hotel suite. The bedroom is off-stage, but an indication only of a wall to the bathroom reveals that it is well appointed, including a bidet. The lovely Poopay (Jessica John), is a working prostitute who calls herself a "Specialist Sexual Consultant," specializing in leather, whips and such. She has been hired by Julian (Manny Fernandes), a business partner of aging Reece (Tim West). Reece desires a little something extra in the final days of his life.
That little something extra is a witness to a confession of complicity in the murder of his two wives by Julian. It is Poopay's assignment to bring the document to a particular attorney. Julian finds out about it and the plot thickens. First Poopay hides the document in the bidet. A scuffle ensues, she extracts the document, and escapes through the communicating door into a small space.
Okay, now for just a touch of sci-fi. The set goes dark, the door gyrates, and she exits into the same room. It is, however, 20 years in the past. Accept this, don't argue. It works well.
Here she meets the second wife of Reece, Ruella (Sandy Campbell). Since both don't know what just happened, the situation is tense enough for Ruella to call in the hotel security man, Harold Palmer (Craig Huisenga) to rescue her from this raving intruder. Alas, some attempt of reason in an unreasonable situation prevails. This time it is Ruella's turn to travel back in time 20 years.
Here she meets Jessica (Brenda Dodge), Reece's first wife. She also meets her husband-to-be. Tim West cleans up well from a scraggly dying old man to a forty year younger put-upon newly-wed. Hotel security guy Palmer again is called to action. Jessica, however, is somewhat intrigued by this older woman and her wild accusations.
The communicating doors are used a bit more. The events are charming, amusing, and totally Ayckbourn at his humorous best. For the film buff, there are several allusions to some of Alfred Hitchcock's masterpieces. Once accepting time travel, the progress of the plot is totally logical. There is just a touch of the playwright's usual dark side. Nick Fouch provided a classic set for his wife (and by this writing, a new mother) Esther Emery. Eric Lotze lighting is quite dramatic. M. Scott Grabau's sound, as usual, gives dimension to the production. Costume Designer Shulamit Nelson captured the three periods perfectly.
This was the San Diego premiere of Communicating Doors. Director Emery chose an excellent cast, directed then to their own excellence, and gave the audience a production that they will remember for quite some time. This production should be on your Don't Miss list. You'll just love the ending.
Show Communicating Doors
Dates Thursday to Sunday, Aug 25th through Sep 23rd, 2007
City San Diego California
Theater Cygnet Theatre
Address 6663 El Cajon Blvd, Suite N
Box Office Phone 619 337-1525 Ext 3
Genre Comedy
Author Alan Ayckbourn
Director Esther Emery
Cast
Sandy Campbell, Brenda Dodge, Manny Fernandes, Craig Huisenga, Jessica John, Tim West
Technical Staff
AD Forrest Aylsworth
Props Design Bonnie Durben
Set Design Nick Fouch
Sound Design M. Scott Grabau
Lighting Design Eric Lotze
Costume Design Shulamit Nelson
Stage Manager Cory Rivera
Composer George Ye
Date Reviewed August 25, 2007
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