Irma Vep and her Magnificent Madmen!

Last Friday I had the pleasure of attending a magnificent production of Charles Ludlam’s The Mystery of Irma Vep at the WeHoChurch Space in West Hollywood. Irma Vep is the story of a series of Mad and Macabre events which unfold upon the arrival of stage actress turned royalty Lady Enid (Michael Lorre) to the Estate of Lord Edgar (Kevin Remington). Lady Enid is there to take up her new station as lady of the Manor. However, it appears that her predecessor, Lady Irma, although dead, may not yet be done. Werewolves, Vampires, Mummies and Curses run amok in this loving tribute to 1930’s era Universal Monster films.

Lorre and Remington are truly magicians. The two men glide in an out of about four roles apiece with such graceful ease, you almost forget there are only two actors in the piece! Assisted by dresser Henry Senecal, an actor will walk off stage in one complicated period costume and reappear, barely a minute later with another complicated period costume and a wig! Sometimes one of the actors’ characters has to converse with another character played by the same actor. However, there is nothing lost in the process. Each character is crisp and specific. Although the play is parody, Lorre and Remington bring true depth of feeling to each character.

The tragedy is that this was the final weekend and that this show, although extended, was not playing through Halloween. Here’s to hoping Michael Lorre and Kevin Remington will be bringing their brilliant production of The Mystery of Irma Vep back to Los Angeles very soon!