Eleanor Holdridge has found a brilliant way to adapt and direct Susanna Centlivre’s 1705 comedy of manners “The Basset Table” for the Folger Theatre. First, she renamed the play “The Gaming Table,” because today basset is not a familiar card game. Then she updated the language somewhat, adding a prologue and epilogue by David Grimm, making the play more accessible. Most important, she set an upbeat pace for her extraordinarily talented actors, allowing them to create a lively vehicle for Centlivre’s philosophy, which saw women as intelligent, independent and at least the equals of men.
Set in London when upper-class men and women wore massive wigs and elaborate clothes, “The Gaming Table” focuses on the romances of three central couples. Lady Reveller (Julie Jesneck) is the widow at whose home card games are held and fortunes are lost every night. Lord Worthy (Marcus Kyd) desperately loves Lady Reveller but hates her way of life.
| Onstage |
| ‘The Gaming Table’ |
| Where: The Folger Theatre, 201 E. Capitol St. SE |
| When: Through March 4 |
| Info: $39 to $65; 202-544-7077; folger.edu |
Valeria (Emily Trask) is a scientist, fond only of experiments until she meets Ensign Lovely (Robbie Gay). Lady Lucy (Katy deBuys) believes in a righteous existence and is adored by Sir James Courtly (Michael Milligan). Milligan is delightful as the ringmaster in this circus of love, manipulating events and people until romance — or order — triumphs.
Mrs. Sago (Tonya Beckman Ross) and Mr. Sago (Darius Pierce) are humorous characters who add comedy to the plot. Emily Townley excels as Lady Reveller’s maid, and Michael Glenn is entertaining as Captain Hearty.
The question that hovers above “The Gaming Table” is whether Lady Reveller will ever give up her fear of losing her independence and marry again. For Valeria, the choice is clear: She opts for science and love equally. By the end of the play, Lady Lucy is well on her way to accepting Sir James’ clever courting.
Holdridge has assembled an extraordinary design team. Set designer Marion Williams has created a room in Lady Reveller’s home where guests and relatives are received, tea is served and basset is played. Above the stage, where a broad stairway connects with a balcony, there are several sets of upside-down staircases, suggesting the topsy-turvy world in Lady Reveller’s universe.
Jessica Ford’s costumes are clever re-creations of early 18th century British designs, with lace cravats and long waistcoats for the men and tall, stiff hats for the women. Anne Nesmith’s mountainous wigs are gorgeous tributes to the absurdity of 18th century London fashion.
“The Gaming Table” is a lighthearted comedy throughout, but one that has a great deal to say about real-world values and economic inequality. That, coupled with Centlivre’s wit and ideas about women’s independence, make it a great play for the start of 2012 at the Folger.
