PREVIEW
Dirty Rotten Scoundrels
Foote in the Door Productions
Runs Nov. 2 to 4 and Nov. 7 to 10
Théâtre La Cité Francophone
8627 – 91 St.
Tickets: $22 to $26 at www.tixonthesquare.ca or www.eventbrite.ca
The word “scoundrel” has an old-fashioned ring to it, almost a byproduct of a bygone era that evokes nostalgia and innocence.
It’s those very qualities that attracted Foote in the Door Productions to Dirty Rotten Scoundrels opening Friday, Nov. 2, at Théâtre La Cité Francophone.
The musical was adapted from MGM’s 1988 mega film hit starring Michael Caine and Steve Martin as two French Riviera-based con men scamming rich tourists who have more money than they can ever spend.
“The musical stays very true to the individual characters. Overall the plot is the same. Certain lines and scenes didn’t make it, but it’s very much like the movie,” said St. Albert actor Russ Farmer who stick-handles the role of Lawrence Jameson.
Lawrence is a suave, assured British swindler bilking ultra-rich women with the assistance of a local police inspector. At the lower end of the pecking order is Freddy Benson (Trevor Worden), a scruffy American who fabricates stories about his sick grandmother.
The duo meet and hoodwink a few people together until Lawrence believes there is room for only one con man in the resort town. The plot develops in a series of cons inside cons with a surprising twist ending.
“I like the combination of physical comedy and it has a bit more risqué content. It’s a bit more edgy and it gives us the opportunity to go in a different direction,” Farmer said.
He co-founded community theatre Foote in the Door Productions along with Ruth Wong-Miller. She nabbed the role of Christine, the two confidence men’s main target.
Actors use different experiences to create a role and Farmer borrowed from his visit to Monaco to see the Monaco Grand Prix.
“I remember seeing yachts with helicopter pads. It was an incredible display of wealth.”
Interestingly, while using his experiences, Farmer developed Lawrence as a character that displays an intriguing sense of right and wrong.
“He is someone who sees himself as classy, sophisticated and intelligent. He has good looks and uses these attributes to create a world for himself. He has an interesting morality about conning people out of money. He believes he gives people what they want. He sets up a con so people think they feel good about themselves when they give him money. It gives them a sense of adventure.”
As the stings develop, Lawrence switches into four different accents. Rehearsing with dialect coach Doug Mertz, Farmer tackled the challenges of learning English, Spanish, German and Midwestern American accents.
“There are scenes where Lawrence uses four accents in the same scene depending on who he’s talking to. But I've got it.”
Set designer Leland Stelck has created the ambience of ostentatious wealth with grand staircases, French doors, and faux gold leaf.
“It’s going to be a fun evening. It’s light. It’s a wonderful evening of music. Edmonton non-profit theatre is such a great place to get value for money. And people come away hearing great songs.”
Nov. 7 is two-for-one tickets.
