The Golden Coach

The Golden Coach, adapted by Yaga Brady from one of Prosper Mérimée’s classic French farces will be presented at the Stagecrafters Theater, 8130 Germantown Avenue in Chestnut Hill, through April 26.   It is surely a tribute to Ms. Brady that she has taken an 18^th Century one act play and re-conceived it in contemporary language as a two act comedy-farce.  She says that she loves to work with “…period pieces, re-read them and rediscover in them issues, questions, lines references, which, in the re-visiting, make complete sense within a  contemporary perception of the world."  Thanks to a large production staff,  there are excellent period costumes and wigs for this piece which takes place in the 1700's in Lima, Peru. The set is cleverly constructed to convert from a viceroy’s palatial setting to the home of his mistress with the flick of a wrist. The story line is very foolish.  This is to be expected of a farce, but one might have hoped for a few more laughs. Carol Enoch does a credible job as actress Micaela, known as Perricholi, but Steve Sussman, portraying Monsignor d’Esquivel steals the show. The laughs emanate from his portrayal of a befuddled clergyman. Performances are Thu-Sat @ 8 pm and Sun. @ 2 pm. This charming theater is nearing the end of its 86^th season.  Good People, directed by David Lindsay Abaire, will be produced in June. For more information or tickets, call 215-247-8881 or visit online at www.thestagecrafters.org.