Theater Review—

Theater Barn’s ‘Sleuth’ Is A Lot Of Fun

By Julie Stern

RIDGEFIELD — If you’ve seen the film with Laurence Olivier and Michael Caine, you probably think you know all you need to know about Anthony Shaffer’s Sleuth, winner of the 1970 Tony Award for Best Play.  After all, there is the mansion crammed with fun house artifacts, the tension between the patrician writer of old fashioned detective stories, and the younger upstart with Italian roots and a lower class accent (who is having an affair with the older man’s wife) and the startling twists, as the two men jockey for advantage…

Nevertheless, as performed by Will Jeffries and Bennett Pologe at Ridgefield Theater Barn, Sleuth becomes a whole new, and thoroughly enjoyable, experience. While the movie relies entirely on plot (and of course there is enough plot here for several thrillers), the play is much more of a character study. Shaffer’s biting dialogue, and Jeffries and Pologes’ acting, make it all refreshingly new.

Director Sherry Asch has done a fine job in developing Jeffries’ portrayal of the aging snob, Andrew Wyke, into more than a stereotype in a smoking jacket. By turns railing against the welfare state that has turned England into a polyglot melting pot, and offering mocking, lip-curled imitations of American cinematic tough guys, Wyke presents himself as a game player: a consummate tactician, whose every move in life is planned out in advance, whether it is his relationship with his young Finnish mistress, or his scheme to deal with his wife’s adultery.

In contrast, Pologe’s Milo Tindle, son of an Italian immigrant and an English farmer’s daughter, is the “innocent,” whose hard earned education has made him a believer in the ideals of fair play and sportsmanship. However, in response to Wyke’s humiliating tactics, Tindle discovers within himself untapped depths of strategic imagination, keeping the audience attention riveted on the stage at all times.

In addition to their acting, Jeffries and Pologe have made substantial contributions to the production in other ways as well. Jeffries is responsible for the richly detailed stage design (in keeping with Ridgefield’s tradition of wonderful sets) while Pologe has written original music for the play which is extremely effective in maintaining the mood.

In short, Sleuth on stage is a lot of fun, and makes for a delightful evening out.

(Performances continue weekends until September 19, with Friday and Saturday evening curtain and Sunday afternoon matinees on September 16 and 23.

Tickets are $22 for adults, $18 for students and seniors.

Call 203-431-9850 for reservations and directions to the theater barn.)