“Bell, Book & Candle,” a visually delightful period piece now playing at Riverwalk Theatre, is what used to be called a drawing-room comedy, except that it takes place entirely within the living room of an upscale apartment in New York City, circa 1950.
Curiously, despite the cozy setting, this production has a decidedly British ambience to it, not least because lead Lewis C. Elson is actually British. Or maybe it’s due to the play’s heritage of being a popular vehicle for the real-life duo of Rex Harrison and Lilli Palmer.
In any case – and stop me if you’ve heard this before – the basic plot presents a modern-day witch who sets her sights on the publisher guy upstairs, then puts a spell on him so he falls in love with her, but then regrets the unintended consequences which ensue. “Bewitched,” anyone?
As Gillian Holroyd, the witch in question, Caila Conklin is statuesquely icy in the first part of the show but then is charming to watch as she melts into a more human character as the action progresses.
The experienced Mr. Elson is pitch-perfect as Shepherd Henderson, who goes from being the so-what neighbor to head-over-heels suitor in the twinkling of an eye.
A slight problem with the script is that author John Van Druten has the (few) onstage characters refer to unseen characters like Bianca DePass and Merle Kittredge with such fun phrases that you really, really want to meet them – but that will have to wait until you see in 1958 movie with Kim Novak and James Stewart (and Hermione Gingold and Janice Rule).
Also in the film was Elsa Lanchester who seemed perfect as Gillian’s slightly-daft Aunt Queenie, so a decidedly-younger person in the role could seem a little off; but Margo Guillory makes the role her own with much flourish and gusto. And a little randiness.
Nick Lemmer flows deftly through his scenes as Gillian’s fey brother, while Jeff Magnuson brings extra life to his too-few appearances as binge-drinking writer Sidney Redlitch.
Special mention must be made of Pepper the Cat as Pyewacket, who on opening night not only scratched Henderson as scripted, but then opened wide to bare his fangs in triumph. Leave it in!
In the best period style, the show runs about 2½ hours with three acts and two intermissions. You can see it this weekend and next, 8 pm on Friday-Saturday, 2 pm Sundays, 7 pm Thursday. Reservations 517-482-5700 - or at http://www.riverwalktheatre.com
by T.E. Klunzinger