The Explorers Club, now playing at the Little Theatre of Alexandria, is a place where men are men and women are not allowed at brandy and cigars. The club is a place where the Marx Brothers meet Benny Hill. It is also a place where five wacky members attempt to keep the British Empire of 1879 London steady.
To this, writer Nell Benjamin draws on now-outdated views of this men-only club. She is an American playwright, the co-composer and lyricist of Legally Blonde, who in this farce traffics in a British brand of humor that skirts the edge of offensive.
Director Adam Konowe builds on a feast of old jokes performed by the cast with faultless timing then adds slapstick including actors diving for drinks, a brilliant effort by Lucius Fretway (Michael Townsend) to dive onto a row of bar stools to catch his beverage. In another scene a “cobra” kills three cast members, which is always fun in a comedy.
Several players require changes of outfits, and costume designer Michelle Harris hit home runs with each challenge. For example, one first appears as a wintered adventurer and ends in admiralty gear. Others don formal wear to visit Queen Victoria. One poor chap moves from an Irish assassin to chief of the Warrior Monks of Jho Dae.
John Henderson is a magnificent Sir Harry Percy, an infamous explorer whom the idiots at National Geographic think is a nitwit. Percy’s latest claim to fame is the discovery of the East Pole. He is also famous for being the sole survivor of most of his expeditions. Henderson’s voice booms and his character lies like a lawyer as it stretches tales into epic proportions. Percy is about as bright as a burned-out light bulb.
One of the men Percy left for dead is club member Beebe (Michael Fisher), who survives months of unspeakable treatment at the hands of Tibetan terrorists. Only thinking about what he will do to Percy motivates Beebe to continue day after day.
Omar Quintero stands out as Luigi, a native specimen Phyllida Spotte-Hume (Rachael Hubbard) brings with her after finding the previously undiscovered city of NaKong. Not speaking English and foreign to civilized London, Luigi wanders the stage where everything is new and mysterious. His pantomime skills are outstanding. Luigi is also a quick learner mastering bartending by the end of Act Two.
Fretway commits an almost unpardonable sin by inviting Spotte-Humme to present at the club. Worse still, he sponsors her as a member. “Your sex is weak with sin and led astray with divers lusts — no offense,” Professor Sloane (Richard Fiske), an “archeo-theologist” played with delicious deadpan, informs Phyllida in a tone of the sex that has no doubts about its God-given superiority.
Fretway is a remarkable botanist whose most recent discovery, Phyllida venusti, has qualities similar to Cannabis sativa in small doses. Phyllida is flattered that Fretway would name a plant after her until he explains too much can cause coma and death. Did I mention he rolls the club’s cigars?
Phyllida is beautiful and light of weight. She is a celebrated anthropologist who for some reason would consider joining The Explorers Club. In addition to studying human cultures, she built a flying machine. She is also the love interest of Percy and Fretway, one of whom will score the honey in this manly game they play.
Sloane’s great contribution to science is the discovery of the lost tribes of Israel. He cannot wait to share his findings with the Irish Council. Of course, the Irish were not thrilled to hear they are Jews and should move back to Palestine.
Professors Cope (Richard Padilla) and Walling (Steve Rosenthal) are best of friends. When they meet the Queen to share their latest discoveries — herpetologist Cope has discovered a most dangerous cobra he wears around his neck, and zoologist Walling has tested the intelligence of guinea pigs by teaching them to unlatch their cage — Walling’s remaining rodent figured out how to unlatch the cage in front of Her Majesty and the snake springs. And there’s more.
Tom O’Reilly’s set includes the leather couch, chairs, and burnished woods that define the stage as a manly room; a stuffed animal, knight’s armor, and heroic paintings fill most of the wall space appearing to be the work of adolescent boys run amok.
Running Time: One hour and 45 minutes with a 15-minute intermission.
The Explorers Club plays through September 21, 2024 (Thursdays–Saturdays at 8 pm, Sunday matinees at 2 pmº, at The Little Theatre of Alexandria, 600 Wolfe Street, Alexandria, VA. To purchase tickets ($26), go online or contact the Box Office via phone (703-683-0496) or email (boxoffice@thelittletheatre.com).
The Explorers Club
Written by Nell Benjamin
Produced by Carol Strachan & Alan Wray
Directed by Adam Konowe
