“The only good I perceive is in beauty. This world gets uglier by the minute, ” says Lotte Schoen in “Lettice and Lovage, ” Peter Shaffer’s paean to bravery and beauty. The Redtwist remount unfolds under Steve Scott’s watchful directorial eye with enjoyable results.
Lettice (Millicent Hurley) is a docent assigned to a boring historical landmark; her penchant for “re-imagining” the house’s history gets her in dutch with Lotte (Jan Ellen Graves), docent supervisor. The two bond over their commitment to history, heritage and rising above “the mere.”
Hurley’s Lettice, left behind by the modern world, is suitably theatrical; Graves’ Lotte, who grudgingly integrates into contemporary times, is phlegmatically bureaucratic. However, the nicest surprises come from the supporting players; Maura Kidwell brings quirky subtlety and timing to her gawky assistant. Jim Morley travels an amusing arc from dismissive lawyer to inspired number-one fan. Watching those two transform is a thing of beauty. (Lisa Buscani)
“Lettice and Lovage” plays at Redtwist Theatre, 1044 W. Bryn Mawr, (773)728-7529, through November 8.
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