April 23 - 27, 2008

"Sinners" Review
By Robin Waples

Poor Peter.

All he wants to do is have an uncomplicated, romantic fling with that oh-so-willing woman who wandered into his furniture store looking for a plant stand.

But heaven help him - what he's in for is a devilish time.

Instead of lust, Peter is thrust into situations involving lies and coverups, untimely deaths and false suicide notes, and mistaken identities and unexpected visitors. Throw in some skipping ropes, engraved lighters, a few bottles of wine and an open window, and Peter soon learns that love can be murder.

Peter is the central character in Norm Foster's black comedy Sinners, and the Sault Theatre Workshop is praying audiences will be shouting their hallelujahs during performances tonight through Sunday in the Studio Theatre on Pittsburgh Avenue.

Sinners, which opens the Workshop's 59th season, is the first full-length play ever produced by Norm Foster, considered to be Canada's Neil Simon, and our country's most-performed playwright. Foster's comedy is intrinsically human, with both wit and physicality there for the taking by inventive theatre companies.

The Workshop's version, directed by Chris Horsepool, is not fully realized quite yet, in need of a more energetic and creative vigour. The director also needs to ensure at all times that what is being relayed verbally is in sync with his choices in movement and action of the performers.

The cast is likable, but the actors come across more as individuals than an ensemble with a story to tell. Their interconnecting feels forced at times. They need to feed off each other's dialogue and energy and rev these sinners up into an evangelical frenzy, especially in the second act.

Aubrey Falls is impressive as the widowed Peter looking for love in all the wrong places. The actor's instincts about comedy timing are always on the mark, and he is thoroughly convincing in the fish-out-of-water-what-do-I-do-now department.

Kaila Wyslocky is enjoyable as Peter's over-eager sex partner, who turns out to be the lusty wife of a minister and possibly a sociopath to boot. Wyslocky is hot and bothered and frilly and feathered as the conscience-lacking Monica, whose bed-hopping seems oblivious to her Reverend husband Lloyd, played by Gerry Forsell, more as a cameo than a full-fleshed role.

Shelley Gold is chatty and charming as nosy neighbour Diane Gillis, who suspects her husband is having an affair, and Harry Houston takes a turn as the dim-witted police chief Roy Cavanaugh, who's keen on advancing to the job of mayor, even if it means bungling a murder investigation or two if they get in the way.

Linda Benedek is a delight as Roy's exuberant though kleptomaniac wife, only too willing to help out with a children's toy drive so as not to miss an opportunity to snoop.

This shameless assortment of sinners can be found tonight through Saturday at 8 p.m. and Sunday at 2 p.m. at the Studio Theatre. Tickets are $17 for adults, $15 for seniors and $5 for students. Call 946-4081 or 946-4513.