VPA’s ‘The Canterville Ghost’: a review

This Halloween, one can attend VPA’s “The Canterville Ghost” to get their dose of haunted houses and spirits. However, this play takes a peculiar plot twist as a ghost story turns into a story of redemption with a healthy dose of comedy on the side. Director Wendy Golter leads the play well, creating another excellent sample of local theatre, but she takes this play down an interesting route in terms of onstage narration. In an adaption from the book and original play, Golter has the actors accompany their normal dialogue with self-narration that is rarely seen onstage. This unique twist to standard acting leaves the viewers puzzled, but after the first couple of scenes, one can begin to enjoy the different format this play offers.

The play starts as a typical ghost story. There is a house believed to be haunted, and the family buying the house is a proper, modern family, certain that ghosts do not exist. Because of their certainty, they are more than willing to prove that ghosts are a figment of the imagination, much to the chagrin of their English acquaintances, who know that ghosts do, in fact, exist. The family’s belief is soon shattered when they encounter unexplainable features in the house, and shortly thereafter see the Canterville Ghost. At this point, the play takes an unexpected turn, as the family scares the ghost instead of the ghost scaring the family. As the play progresses, the problems between the Canterville Ghost and the family continue, with the inevitable result being the expulsion of one of the parties.

A wide range of actors perform in this play, and all exhibit a high level of talent.

Steven Impson does a stellar job playing Sir Simon, the Canterville Ghost. He consistently draws laughs from the audience and keeps the play lively. Jason Bailey does an excellent job playing the family’s father, Mr. Otis. Two other actors that stand out are Preston and Karsten Stiner, who play the twins in the family. They are always raucously fooling around and constantly try to pull pranks on the ghost.

The Canterville Ghost runs smoothly and successfully. The sets are well designed, utilizing the entire stage, which increases the variety of locations for the various scenes and reduces set changes that take too long and detract from the play’s overall integrity. The costumes are believable, lending to the play’s overall atmosphere, which is supplemented by the music and lighting. The result is a strong, cohesive play.

The Canterville Ghost runs through Nov. 9, playing at 7 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays and at 2 p.m. on Sundays at the Fred and Sara Machetanz Theatre, 251 W. Swanson Avenue, Wasilla. Purchase tickets online at valleypreformingarts.org, or call 373-0195. Regular admission is $19, $17 for students and seniors.