#bedroomfarce

[elgallinero]

#backstage #bedroomFarce #myFAPC (at Fifth Avenue Presbyterian Church)

[curtainchronicles]

The cast of “Bedroom Farce” at Westport Country Playhouse August 25 – September 13:  L-R – Matthew Greer, Nicole Lowrance, Scott Drummond, Claire Karpen, Cecilia Hart, Paxton Whitehead, Carson Elrod, and Sarah Manton.  Photo by Peter Chenot

Back at It: Bedroom Farce’s Sarah Manton Tackles Ayckbourn’s Comedic Edge for Another Westport Summer

Sarah Manton is a delight. I figured this out last summer when she lit up the Westport Country Playhouse stage alongside Geneva Carr, Matthew Greer, and Michael Mastro in the uproarious production of Things We Do For Love by (Sir) Alan Ayckbourn. I also figured this out when she was kind enough to chat to me at 8 p.m. on a Tuesday evening following a rehearsal at the Playhouse and a commute back to New York City. 

It is fitting that juggling is not a problem for an Ayckbourn play vet; his works (of which there are over 70 - he nabbed the Lifetime Achievement Award at the Tonys in 2010) are glorious hybrids between pure shenanigans and unapologetic truth. According to Manton, Bedroom Farce will be no exception. 

This is not your first time in an Ayckbourn play. What is your favorite thing about performing his writing?

I actually worked with him in England. My sister is working with him right now on his new play in England. It’s called Hero’s Welcome. We go back quite a long way. The thing that I love is that his plays are very funny, but there’s also - you have to play the truth. You have to have a slightly heightened awareness that it’s a comedy. John will say “Just pause a bit there to get the laugh.” But you have to play the truth of the situation. Just as with last year’s production, this is about middle class couples with marital issues. It’s electrifying playing that very seriously, and people aren’t really sure just how much to laugh. I really love that edge. The audience has to wonder: “Am I supposed to be uncomfortable, or is this really funny?”

Do you have a favorite play of his?

From the ones I’ve done, I really did like Time of My Life. One couple goes forward in time, and one goes back in time. Actually, some of his new ones have been quite interesting. My Wonderful Day is another favorite of mine. It’s dark in places but also funny. 

How does Bedroom Farce compare to Things We Do For Love?

It’s the same team. Same director. Same playwright. Matthew Greer is also in this one again. It is still dark, but it’s a little more energized. There’s great, quick banter between the bedrooms. My impression right now is that it has a little more of a farcical energy. It’s going to be really interesting to see how the audience reacts. That’s the joy of doing a comedy.

How do the theatre scenes differ in London or New York? Do you have a preference?

The experience of auditioning is very different. In London - there’s so many less people for each role, so if you’re getting called in, you stand a reasonable chance. You go in and have a chat, and you know the director or you have something in common. That’s half the audition. Here, you go in. There’s a lot more people. It’s a lot quicker. I kind of like it in a way - you have to just cut to the chase and be prepared.  

How has the Bedroom Farce rehearsal process been for you thus far?

Everybody is just wonderful, and that helps. I like working with John. He casts it well, and then he trusts his actors. That brings out the best in me, having a director that let’s me find it. If I’m way off track, he’ll get me back on track. But he’ll also know when not to say anything.

Any advice for love triangles?

Well, in Susannah’s case, they have a big blow-up, and that actually seems to be good for them. (Laughs)

Any bedtime rituals?

One thing that I find really helps is to limit my Netflix watching. My husband also just bought me a load of books. I’ve been reading Lena Dunham’s book. There’s a book called The Girl on The Train that one of the girls in the cast lent me. 

Any weird dreams lately?

I love these questions! It’s hard to remember. I did have some flying dreams at some point. Which was amazing. I’ve definitely had the ones where you feel like you can’t move. Quite the opposite!

Do you remember your first sleepover ever?

I used to go to Claire Stretton’s house. She lived just down the road. We were telling ghost stories or something, and she decided if she covered her feet, the ghost wouldn’t get her. And I decided that if I covered my head, the ghost wouldn’t get me. (Laughs) I even now find myself wrapping my head in the duvet sometimes.

Early bird or night owl?

Ideally, I’m an early bird. Mornings are great when I can get up for them.

What are your jammies of choice?

At the moment, it’s like a very light, quilted slip that I got from a thrift store in Denver.