(OUTview NW) RE-view: Theater Schmeater's 'Fatal Footlights' is a "What If" Whodunit, with Great Performances!

Elementary, my dear sis, Gwendolyn! (Hastings)

by MK Scott

Last October I attend my first production ever at Theater Schmeater for our fave, Tom Stewart's performance in 'Welcome to my Secret Lair" and found it to be quite entertaining. So when Stewart stars in a show, you go and be prepared to be mesmerized.

This time around it is a Steampunk murder mystery set in 1885 London called Fatal Footlights by our pal, John Longenbaugh along with Louis Broome with a "What if" scenario that brings George Bernard Shaw (Matthew Middleton), Bram Stoker (John McCenna) Dame Ellen Terry (Niki Visel) and Oscar Wilde (Tadd Morgan) all together to tell this story in a very Phantom of the Opera way with little Sherlock Holmes in the form of the Sexually fluid,  Cyril (Jeremy Adams) aided by his sister, Gwendolyn  (Katherine Grant-Suttie). I realized this was part of a Series of plays, and now I am intrigued for more.


As mentioned the Phamton of Opera similarities are there, with a real life Phantom type character that gets Cyril to the Theater, just when a crime is about the happen.

The setting is the backstage of a London theatre, during rehearsals of one of Wilde’s first plays, the unsuccessful melodrama Vera, and something about Russia.  Shaw, narrates in between the scenes.

a Flirtation or Sexual Tension? (Hastings)

I quite enjoyed the flirtation between Cyril and the older actor Gil (the Gorgeous, Clayton Michael), you would have thought Wilde would be all over Cyril, so I was pleasantly surprised with that twist to show that Wilde wasn't the only queen in town.

One Woman played 3 parts of M Tressano and the twins of Olga and Irina,  all played by the incredible, Ruth McRee. The Costumes by Kristine Hawthorne were elegant and perfect for the period. The set by Madisen Crowley was simple, due mostly to space.

Both of the murders were hilarious and horrifying at the same time.

Of Course it is Stewart (as Daniel) who gives one of the best performances and soars in the end.


Battleground Productions' Fatal Footlights at Theater Schmeater, ends Saturday, 4/30! Click HERE for Tix and Info.