Delightful 'Travels' Cast leads the way on whimsical romp
“Life is a banquet, and most poor suckers are starving to death.”
Credit for that observation rests with Auntie Mame, the fictional bohemian whom American author Patrick Dennis introduced in his 1955 novel. But one could just as easily imagine British writer Graham Greene's Aunt Augusta uttering that famous aphorism. The equally eccentric albeit more randy titular character of Greene's 1969 comic novel “Travels With My Aunt” is a woman of considerable appetites who understands that life is meant to be devoured, not nibbled.
It's a lesson she tries to pass on to her diffident nephew, a 55-year-old bachelor named Henry Pulling, whose excursions with the unorthodox Augusta derail any plans the former banker had for his retirement. Those excursions unfold on Writers' Theatre's 50-seat second stage at Books on Vernon, where director Stuart Carden serves up a chipper, deliciously acted revival of Giles Havergal's 1989 stage adaptation of this popular tale. Four identically dressed actors sporting bowler hats, gray cutaway jackets, striped ties and pocket squares play some 25 characters of varying ages, nationalities and genders.
The constant character shifting requires tour-de-force performances, which Carden's top-notch male quartet delivers. LaShawn Banks, Sean Fortunato, John Hoogenakker and Jeremy Sher convey volumes with a quirked mouth or narrowed eye.
Each takes on the role of the mild-mannered Henry. Each shades him a little differently, which makes for a poignant portrait of a man who has reached middle age without having ever really lived.
We first encounter Henry in 1969, at his mother's funeral where he's confronted by his long-lost septuagenarian aunt (Fortunato), who has a penchant for travel, intrigue and men (not necessarily in that order). Soon after, Henry finds himself traveling with Augusta on the Orient Express. As they wing their way from Paris to Istanbul, she fills his ears with stories of youthful intrigues with assorted scoundrels. Along the way, Henry meets a pot-smoking American coed, his late father's would-be mistress and Augusta's personal valet and sometime lover, Wordsworth. Returning home to discover his quiet existence no longer interests him, Henry jumps at the chance to join Augusta in South America where she has tracked her long-lost love, an especially proficient scoundrel named Mr. Visconti (Banks) who's being pursued by CIA operative O'Toole (Hoogenakker).
Fortunato charms with his meticulous, expertly modulated turn as Augusta, who inspires in her nephew not just rebellion but tolerance. Hoogenakker is delicate and understated as the women in Henry's life. Then there is the subtle, expressive Banks, whose portrayal of the lovesick Wordsworth nearly breaks your heart. Last but not least is Sher less prominent but absolutely essential who uses umbrellas, half-filled wine glasses and his own fingertips to marvelous effect in realizing Mikhail Fiksel's imaginative sound design.
Set designer Brian Sidney Bembridge has the audience flanking the stage, which is book-ended by luggage racks piled high with suitcases containing props. Invitingly lit by Jesse Klug, it's a dark, cozy space, perfect for Greene's light repast.
“Travels With My Aunt”
Rating: ★ ★ ★
Location: Writers Theatre, Books on Vernon, 664 Vernon Ave., Glencoe, (847) 242-6000 or writerstheatre.org
Showtimes: 7:30 p.m. Tuesday and Wednesday; 8 p.m. Thursday and Friday; 4 and 8 p.m. Saturday; 2 and 6 p.m. Sunday through March 27
Running time: About 2 hours, 20 minutes with intermission
Tickets: $45-$60
Parking: Street parking available
Rating: For teens and older