Shaw Festival 2010 – Clare Booth Luce's The Women

Reviewed by Paula Citron

The Shaw Festival production of Clare Booth Luce's 1936 classic The Women should be a slam dunk because of the strong female ensemble. While the production is still mildly entertaining, it is problematic.

Director Alisa Palmer and designer William Schmuck have run wild. For example, women change the scenery dressed in female occupations such as nuns and nurses etc. and it complicates the impact because of these hordes of armies marching. As well, a significant number of actors can't be heard because of projection or accent difficulties.

There are also various degrees of over-acting, so the play consists of diverse levels of energy. Jenny Young as the pivotal Mary Haines is underwhelming because she has adopted quiet for class. With Young not registering a dynamic persona, the play loses its crucible.

In the end, The Women is a fashion show that buries any true emotions. The play feels cold and distant.

The Women continues at the Festival Theatre until Oct. 9.

The Women
Shaw Festival
Written by Clare Booth Luce
Directed by Alisa Palmer
Starring Jenny Young and Deborah Hay with Beryl Bain, Nicola Correia-Damude, Sharry Flett, Kelli Fox, Moya O'Connell, Wendy Thatcher and Jenny L. Wright
Festival Theatre, May 12 to Oct. 9, 2010