“The Real Inspector Hound” a clever play within a play
John-Mark Day
Skiff Staff

When you enter the theater to see Stage West’s production of “The Real Inspector Hound,” be careful not to trip over the dead body lying on the floor. That’s just the beginning of things to watch out for in this confusing but very clever production by the same author who wrote Shakespeare in Love.

The play itself is the story of two theater critics who are reviewing an Agatha Christie-style murder mystery and find themselves caught up in the action. Literally.

Photo Courtesy of Stage Weset Matt Moore and Jenea Yerger in “The Real Inspector Hound” at Stage West.

The two critics, played by Ashley Wood and Gary Taggart, spend more time initially ruminating about their respective lives than watching the show they are to critique. This can lead to some very long, wordy monologues, but pays off in the end. The two are nicely matched for this; Taggart’s humorous simplicity does well to set off Wood’s bitter cynicism.

Much of the humor comes from the hilariously bad play the two are to be reviewing. Fans of Agatha Christie, Sherlock Holmes, or any of the other classic mystery novels and plays will highly enjoy this witty send up of the genre. The cast joyfully chews through the scenery showing just how bad acting can be.

Debbie Dacus’ (Cynthia) gestures and walk are hilarious, as is Erin McGrann’s (Mrs. Drudge) deadpan servant who exists only as walking exposition. Randy Clements (Magnus) and Lynn Mathis (Inspector Hound) yell their way through the show, giving loud force to their characters. Jenae Yerger’s Felicity is the classic socialite, so pouty and obnoxious one hopes she is the first to die. And TCU student Matt Moore makes a great handsome young stranger. Only good actors could be this bad and be so funny at it.
After the first half of the show, the two critics end up on the stage and quite confused.

This is very funny, but could have used a little more energy from the cast. One would guess, though, that the lack of energy was due more to the Saturday matinee preview crowd than the cast. The groundwork is there, and with more energy the ending could be killer (pardon the pun).

Because the show is short (about an hour, with no intermission), the audience is invited into the coffee shop next door where the cast reappears to perform period songs. This is well worth sticking around for. The company certainly wasn’t cast for its singing ability, but the actors have a lot of fun trying. This (and the $1 coffee, way cheaper than any Starbucks) makes the show an ideal date.

“The Real Inspector Hound” is very clever and very British. Don’t expect to leave the theater knowing exactly what happened, but you can expect a funny, well put-together show.

“The Real Inspector Hound” runs until March 23 at Stage West, 3055 South University Drive. Show times are 7:30 p.m. Thursdays, 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays, 3 p.m. Saturday, and 7:30 p.m. Sunday. Tickets range from $9 to $22, depending on the day, with a $5 student rush a half hour before the show starts. For more information call Stage West at (817) 784-9378.

credits

TCU Daily Skiff © 2002