Review – Raton Laveur

Laugh, cry, fall in love.

The most vacuous platitudes have their place, and Raton Laveur is a rich and delightful comedy experience that really will sound that triad, and definitely ought not be missed. A Canadian play is here presented by a group from Victoria and SA who are clearly possessed of not insignificant talent and vision.

The interplay between lighting and set-design is the first thing anyone ‘sees’ when viewing a play and the crew for this production make a bold statement with the very first spark of the production. Then it is simply a matter of enjoying two very fine young actors capably navigating the often hysterical situations and concepts contained within this very cleverly written play. The outline of the plot – and a lot of the delight of the piece is contained in the “reveals”, so I don’t wish to spoil any surprises – is that a young crêperie worker is becoming increasingly paranoid about the apparently sinister designs of a local “raccoon king”, and as his sanity frays his sympathetic girlfriend tries to help him get through an unfortunate accident that results from the turmoil.

It is no exaggeration that I am laughing to myself as I recall the explication of the piece: it is very funny and it stays with you. It is superbly directed by Alister Smith; the actors are Wendy Bos and Ben Noble. Go and see this play – you deserve it, and so does the excellent creative talent at work. Showing at the Bakehouse Theatre. Go and see it!