The CottageProgram Cover
By Sandy Rustin
Review by Ernest Edwards
I went to the 2023 play The Cottage at the Gremlin Theatre last night. What a delightful play. It reminded me of the comedies by Noel Coward. The play takes place at a cottage in 1920’s England. This is a very funny play.
The play opens with Beau and Sylvia having a tryst at the cottage. Silvia is actually married to Clarke, Beau’s brother. The hilarity starts to happen as other characters begin to arrive at the cottage.
It turns out Clarke has been having an affair with Marjorie, Beau’s wife, for the past seven years. Marjorie is also pregnant with Clark’s child. Beau’s other mistress Dierdre shows up, and announces that she has divorced her husband Richard, which Beau did not ask her do. Richard is on his way to murder Beau. When Richard does show up, he turns out to be William, who is Sylvia’s long lost first love that she has never gotten over.
What really makes this play fun is the cast, the scenery and the costumes. Sylvia is played by Sarah Malfara, Beau is played by Sasha Andreev, Marjorie is played by Shana Eisenberg, Clarke is played by Corey DiNardo, Dierdre is played by Mira Davis, and Richard is played by Chance Carroll. What I found interesting in the program, is that I have seen most of the these actors at theatre’s across the Twin Cities, but five out of the six are making their debut with The Gremlin Theatre with The Cottage. What a great cast that has been assembled for this production. Director Brian Balcom makes full use of the stage space for The Cottage.
The scenery is designed by Carl Schoenborn. There’s not a bad seat in the house with how this thrust stage
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| The stage, before the play begins. Photo by Ernest Edwards |
production is set up. Excellent use of the space and furniture by the cast. The costumes designed by A. Emily Heaney do help to transport us to the 1920’s.
What is really delicious with this play, is the fate of the cottage. I will not spoil that for you, but it was a fun twist.
Don’t miss out on this humorous summer play. The Gremlin is air conditioned too, which is perfect for finding ways to deal with this summer heat.
The play runs through August 2, 2026. Check out www.gremlintheatre.org for tickets.
