Bell,
Book and Candle
by John William Van Druten,
directed
by Stephen Terrell
One of my current bird familiars, Pyewacket, was named after the cat familiar in an old movie that I remember seeing as a child, about witches in Manhattan. A sophisticated and intimate look at the lives of three witches, the romantic play the movie was based on, Bell, Book and Candle, was written by John William Van Druten and first saw the stage in 1950. A drawing-room comedy starring Rex Harrison and Lili Palmer, it ran for more than 200 performances. After being produced as a movie -- the one I saw -- starring Jack Lemmon, Kim Novak, James Stewart and Ernie Kovacs in 1958, it was the inspiration for the long-running television show that was such encouragement to some of us witches, Bewitched.
A current production of the play, directed by Stephen Terrell, is playing in Issaquah at the Francis J. Gaudette Theater. I attended the opening night and was amazed to find that it was packed! I am not certain if it is because this particular play is so popular, the subject matter of witches is hot or if the Bellevue/Issaquah artsy crowd just attends most theater openings.
This new production of Bell, Book and Candle is a must-see. Well-done and funny, with a focus on what happens when you do love spells, it gives witches all kinds of fundamental context from our past. With so many new and second- or even third-generation witches now, it gives us a glimpse into a small part of our history that most have never considered. It has that old-fashioned view of the Craft as magick only, shorn of its mystical trappings.
I enjoyed many things about the production. The cast is to be especially commended for their artful performances. My male companion was impressed by Ian Fraser, who played Nicky and had the '50s "swinging guy" thing down. My two favorites, after the charming and believable Vanessa Miller as the main character, Gillian, were Suzy Hunt as Aunt Queenie and the author character Sidney Redlitch, played by Anthony Currey. All three lent a depth of quality to their roles as characters in this story. The set and costuming were also excellent.
I recommend seeing this production. It made me, and maybe a few other incognito witches, laugh in all the appropriate places -- some that were less than obvious to the rest of the audience. Bothersome was the distance from Seattle, in traffic -- we were a tiny bit late. The parking was less than plentiful, which could be less of a problem if you're not late, and the herbal cigarettes that the cast puffed on throughout the evening we both could have done without. They smell almost as bad as tobacco, but more like dirty socks. Ick
The tickets are not cheap either, ranging from $10-$38, but I thought this production worth a whole evening's price. Eat at home before you go, see the play and have coffee and dessert after.
I got a few questioning looks in the lobby... you know, I think that there are witches, right here in Seattle!
Bell, Book and Candle plays through February 24 at the Francis J. Gaudette Theater, 303 Front St. N., Issaquah. For tickets: (425) 392-2202 and March 1-17, at the Everett Performing Arts Center, 2710 Wetmore Ave., Everett, (425) 237-8600.