Zack Powell as Lord Edgar Hillcrest and Bruce Randolph Nelson as Lady Enid Hillcrest. Photo by Teresa Castacane Photography.
The term “penny dreadful” describes cheap publications, popular in Victorian England, that were often sold for a penny and featured lurid stories about crime, adventure, or the supernatural. (Think the National Enquirer or Britain’s Daily Mirror.) Charles Ludlam’s best known work, the 1984 “The Mystery of Irma Vep: A Penny Dreadful,” has some of those elements, but is more about joy and laughter than mystery. Wrapped in a Victorian-era take on films like Hitchcock’s “Rebecca,” throw in vampires, werewolves, mummies, vaudeville schtick, slapstick, and double entendres and “campy” is taken to a whole new level. Written in the midst of the AIDS crisis, a disease that took too many before their time, it also sadly took Ludlam at the age of 44.
…brilliant and hilarious…so much fun, you will be laughing until tears stream down your face.
Everyman had no idea about what the current events would be at this moment when they chose this show to end the season, but it couldn’t be more timely. With the demonization of drag queens, the renewed attack on the rights of LGBTQ+ people, and Pride month just around the corner (and SO much more), as Artistic Director Vincent M. Lancisi pointed out, we all really need a good laugh right now. This show provides that in abundance.
Directed by Joseph W. Ritsch, Everyman Theatre is presenting a brilliant and hilarious production of “The Mystery of Irma Vep,” revisiting a show they mounted 17 years ago. Veteran Resident Company member, the always extraordinary Bruce Randolph Nelson, returns in this two-hander, along with a more recent and very talented Resident Company member, Zack Powell. The two play perfectly off of each other in well-orchestrated, fast-paced chaos, each playing over eight roles with over 30 costume changes. Kudos go to the dressers backstage, costume designer, David Burdick, and wig designer, Denise O’Brien. Some changes are so quick, you don’t know if a few costume mishaps were deliberate or not. Whatever the case, it made the scenes even funnier.
The basic plot, if you will (and not to give too much away), is Lord Edgar Hillcrest (Powell) has brought his new bride, Lady Enid (Nelson), home to Mandacrest. He still morns the loss of his wife, Irma (whose portrait hangs in the drawing room) and his son. The estate is run by the housekeeper, Jane Twisden (Powell), who is always fighting off advances by the groundskeeper (with a wooden leg and very bad teeth), Nicodemus (Nelson). There are also strange goings on with wolves howling in the distance (a nod to sound designer Germán Martínez for his effective work throughout), and then Enid is attacked by a vampire and sent away. This causes Edgar, an Egyptologist, to seek answers in the tomb of an Egyptian princess, Pev Amri (Nelson), with the aid of his guide, Alcazar (Nelson again). Anagrams, phallic references, Shakespeare, and audience interaction abound! Lord Edgar returns to the manor (with the sarcophagus and mummy), as does Enid, and all the strange mysteries unfold and surprises are revealed. It doesn’t matter if it doesn’t make sense or that the only thing missing is the kitchen sink, the production is so much fun, you will be laughing until tears stream down your face.
Much applause goes to the entire creative team (and stage manager Cat Wallis and the hands behind the scenes) as much as it does to the actors. Daniel Ettinger’s set includes a surreal and gray, moody drawing room, with all the angles askew, to an over-the-top, cartoonish Egyptian tomb, going against type in gaudy, bright colors. There are hidden doors, trap doors, and site gags galore. The sets are complemented by spot on lighting by Juan M. Juarez.
Everyman Theatre never disappoints and Baltimore is so fortunate to have such a theater company, bursting with talent and generosity, in its midst. Don’t miss this one!
Running Time: Two hours including one 15-minute intermission.
Advisory: Contains adult humor and sexual innuendo, simulated violence with weapons including guns and knives, and jump scares intended to delight the audience. Theatrical haze and blood, gunshots, and strobing lights.
“The Mystery of Irma Vep: A Penny Dreadful” runs through June 22, 2025 at Everyman Theatre, 315 W Fayette Street, Baltimore, MD 21201. For more information and to purchase tickets, call the Box Office at 410.752.2208, Mondays-Fridays: 12 pm – 5 pm, (the box office is also open two hours prior to every performance), email: boxoffice@everymantheatre.org, go online.
