REVIEW: Look, No Hans! funny enough, but easily forgotten

The latest comedic fare coming out of Drayton Entertainment’s summer line-up is a late-night romp that makes the most of classic farce and will have audiences laughing— even if the jokes aren’t new ones.

The latest slapstick comedy, Look, No Hans! goes down easy like a light beer on a hot day with its physical antics and obnoxious main character– but lacks any sort of punch that makes it particularly memorable.

The story is simple– sort of.

Peter Fisher is the manager of the West Berlin outlet of a British car company. He is also an undercover agent for British Security– and he is equally dreadful at both professions. To round out his double life, it seems only fitting that Fisher should have both a wife, Monica, and a mistress, Heidi. As one expects, in a strange turn of events, Fisher’s worlds suddenly collide when his wife’s plane is delayed and she returns home early from an intended vacation.

With Heidi sunbathing on the roof, Fisher has enough to contend with –  that’s until Walter Cadwallader shows up on his doorstep, hair slicked and mustache perfectly trimmed, to announce Fisher’s home has been chosen as the place of arrival for Hans, a top industrial spy from the East.

Chaos rapidly ensues when they are joined by Mitzi, a voluptuous singing telegram girl, and Leslie, a spokesperson from Midland Motors.

Fans of the late ‘60s TV comedy Get Smart will love Fisher, whose bumbling incompetence as a secret agent closely mirrors the misadventures of Maxwell Smart. Fisher, who is brought to life by Kevin Kruchkywich in his Drayton Entertainment debut, is impish and foolhardy as he darts across the stage, hopping from furniture to floor like a child with a sugar rush– only stopping to refill his tumbler with gin.

The yin to Fisher’s yang is Cadwallader, who looks a little too much like Adolf Hitler and barks like a drill sergeant. Jacob James gives the role his all, shouting orders and progressively becoming more and more unraveled by Fisher’s incompetence. Audiences will enjoy the on-stage chemistry between the two men, while at the same time wondering how James hasn’t lost his voice yet.

Although the men get the most stage time, it’s the women who really shine. Mitzi played by Steffi DiDomenicantonio and Caitlin Stewart as Heidi make the most of the stereotypes in which they are cast. Stewart is hilarious as the Fisher’s German mistress– her accent and comedic timing coupled with a brash sexual comedy make her apperances an enjoyable interval throughout the performance. Audiences will also love Mitzi, a dancer who fancies herself a star and spends most of the play desperately trying to cook an omelet.  

The simple sets and costumes are fun and playful, perfectly imitating the world of ‘80s farce. Few props serve to highlight the production’s successful physical comedy and the talent of its stars. Director Wade Lynch keeps the antics coming as Fisher and Cadwallader barely stop to take a breath throughout the duration.

As the play progresses, the storyline becomes increasingly more ridiculous with three or four plot twists compressed into the final half hour. The effect is overwhelming and takes away from the overall flavour of the production – sidestepping the realm of wit, and falling head first into cliché.

When the mysterious Hans finally arrives, you almost miss it. Looking up only because Cadwallader has stopped yelling.

Look, No Hans! is on stage at the Drayton Festival Theatre through July 19. Regular performance tickets are $42 for adults, $25 for youth under 20 and groups of 20 or more are $34.

Tickets can be purchased from any computer or mobile device by visiting www.draytonfestivaltheatre.com, in person at the box office, or by calling 519-638-5555, or toll free 1-855-DRAYTON (372-9866).

 

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