Theatre Review: ‘In the Next Room’ at Maryland Ensemble Theatre

The Maryland Ensemble Theatre’s edgy and robust production of In The Next Room or the Vibrator Play is lighthearted, introspective and ultimately, a satisfying comedic drama. A hallmark of the Victorian Era was the separation of the sexes and the rigid definition of male and female roles.A woman was expected to be a wife and mother (or daughter if unmarried) wholly dependent upon her husband or father.  Urgeswere to be repressed and forays into the greater world outside the home were the road to loss of virtue and ruin. Women who exhibited symptoms of “female hysteria,” which included headaches, anxiety, depression and fainting were candidates for “hysterical paroxysms,” administered by doctors, which alleviated the symptoms, albeit temporarily.  Doctors did this manually at first, but with the dawn of electricity in the 1880s, machines took over the task.

This show is worth seeing; mainly a comedy, a bit of drama and a generous helping of social message, it has something for every taste in theatre.

Reiner Prochaska plays Dr. Givings, the physician who treats women affected by “hysteria” and gives a sound performance. Allison Duvall, as his wife Catherine Givings, presents a good study in conflicted Victorian womanhood; craving adventure with libertine artist Leo Irving (Jack Evans) while wanting to be a good wife and mother. Duvall has designed for several regional theatre companies and is a School for Mime Theatre alum and Evans has a string of regional credits as well as some film credits. Liz Seltzer is an excitable and pitch-perfect portrait in Victorian repression of emotions as Sabrina Daldry, one of Doctor Givings’ patients.

The themes that the play explores of Victorian repression, feminism and the wonders yet to come in the dawn of the new century are well-done and the players carry off their roles with professionalism. The costuming, set design and lighting were all flawless for this production and enhanced the experience greatly. This show is worth seeing; mainly a comedy, a bit of drama and a generous helping of social message, it has something for every taste in theatre.

Advisory: Adult content.

Run time: 2 hours 15 minutes with one intermission.

In The Next Room or the Vibrator Play runs through June 22, 2014 at The Maryland Ensemble Theatre, 31 West Patrick Street Frederick, MD 21701. Tickets are available at the box office or online.