Live Spelled Backwards: A Moral Immorality Play

Written by Jerome Lawrence

Directed by Simon C. Hussey

Dubbed “A Moral Immorality Play”, this one-act play set in the intimate confines of the Railway Club transported the audience to The American Bar in Morocco. The unique setting allowed Spectral Theatre to offer a glimpse into the lives of six characters: The Woman Who Knew Almost Everything (BADLY); The Richest Girl In The World; The Most Famous Playwright Of Our Time; The Best Hustler In Morocco, and The Most Evil Man In Washington Court House, Ohio, gathered once fateful night under the watchful eye of Frank the Bartender.

As each character partook of Frank’s psychedelic ‘hors o’oeuvres’, personal truths were exposed and they were transformed, briefly and fleetingly, before reality all too quickly closes in…

Held in the Railway Club back room, June 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 29, 30, and July 1, 2, and 3, 2004.

Photos by Michael Methot

CAST

Frank, The Bartender – Aaron Nelken
The Woman Who Knows Almost Everything (BADLY) – Sandi Zweikaft
The Richest Girl In The World – Megan Morrison
The Most Famous Playwright Of Our Time – Justin Clow
The Best Hustler In Morocco – Fabien Melanson
The Most Evil Man In Washington Court House, Ohio – Des Hussey

CREW

Director – Simon C. Hussey
Stage Manager – Kent Whitfield
Lighting Design – Michael Methot
Props – Lorelei Rosa
Costume Consultant – Sanchia Wong
Producer – Justin Clow

REVIEWS

“Live Spelled Backwards”
Alan Hindle
Terminal City, Thursday, June 24, 2004

“The Woman Who Knows Almost Everything (BADLY), The Richest Girl In The World, The Most Famous Playwright Of Our Time, The Best Hustler In Morocco, and
The Most Evil Man In Washington Court House, Ohio are succinct little studies in eccentricity, and that’s the fun of it. At only an hour long, and set in the smoking room of the Railway Club (stroke of genius, that! See a play – yer inna bar! Drink! Genius.), “Live” is an old-fashioned entertainment and a good start to an evening of booze and chat…I’m going to suggest this: Bard is on all summer. Check out “Live Spelled Backwards” first, then the following night or week or whatever, see what Shakespeare suits you.”

“Live Spelled Backwards”
Colin Thomas
The Georgia Straight, Thursday, June 30, 2004

“Sandi Zweikaft plays (The Woman Who Knows Almost Everything (BADLY) with the requisite vivacity and the equally necessary underlying seriousness. Fabien Melanson is slyly sexy as The Hustler, a local youth with a great gimmick: when speaking English, he communicates exclusively with the titles of pop songs…The acting is consistently of quite high quality, so it’s clear that director Simon C. Hussey has done a good job.”

“Railway Club Transforms Itself Into Theatrical ‘Heaven and Hell’”
Jo Ledingham
Vancouver Courier, July 4, 2004

“Here’s a quirky little aperitif for you: 60 minutes of live theatre in the back lounge of the Railway Club. And you can take your drink in with you. The characters in this strange, but beguiling piece are dropping acid, smoking funny stuff and popping peyote with Pepsi chasers, so how sinful can a Pale Ale be?...The audience is limited to 20 who sit comfortably at bar tables; the play, directed by Simon Hussey, takes place around the Railway Club’s gorgeous dark-wood-and-mirrors bar – a long, narrow space into which all six characters fit perfectly well. ..A ticket to the play allows you to hang out afterwards in the club. Live theatre followed by live music: sweeter than shortcake.”

Last Updated on Monday, 22 December 2008 00:54