The Mystery of Irma Vep and Other Plays Charles Ludlum
Publisher: Theatre Communications Group

The Mystery of Irma Vep is convoluted play involving the dark gothic goings-on at a remote manor deep in the mist shrouded (and wolf infested) moors. Expect encounters with werewolves, mummies, and the like, with a if you rearrange the letters of play's name — it makes perfect sense. At one point in Charles Ludlam's play The Mystery of Irma Vep, which is currently running at the Court Theatre, it is remarked that a man in a dress can't be all that bad. "The Mystery of Irma Vep" satirizes all that is ridiculous in Gothic horror, Victorian melodrama, classic film, and conventional theater—it's also a contender for the funniest American play of the last quarter-century. Ricky Graham and Varla Jean Merman play all of the roles, incorporating break-neck costume changes and playing with theatrical conventions. When: Fridays As each performer plays the diva, the actors literally push each other out of the spotlight, becoming frustrated with the other's longer, dramatic moments, and impatiently vamping until the other changes costumes. This time out in Megee's incarnations include a variety of men, women and monsters in The Kansas City Repertory Theatre production of The Mystery of Irma Vep, A Penny Dreadful. He left behind a Once in a while he used plays to say something meaningful, but mostly they were just a way to incorporate quotes and whole scenes from the classic history of theatre for his showmanship. Joseph Fuqua as Jane Twisden (left) and Jamie Torcellini as Lady Enid Hillcrest, just two of the roles they play in The Mystery of Irma Vep. The Mystery of Irma Vep can be enjoyed on three levels: as pure entertainment, as literary wordplay, and as a testament to the outrageous sensibility of Charles Ludlam. Charles Ludlam's play, subtitled “A Penny Dreadful,” is a mashup of vaudevillian gags, literary allusions and melodramatic conceits written for two actors to play eight roles between them. What: A satirical farce about vampires, werewolves and melodrama. With two actors, eight characters, and 35 costume changes The Mystery of Irma Vep is a whirlwind romp through a series of humorous scenes and supernatural events. There are moments in Kansas City Repertory's delightfully absurd production of “The Mystery of Irma Vep” when you may decide you're watching a duel of titans. His life was cut short by AIDS at 44. The play runs through December 16 with performances on Wednesdays & Thursdays 12:30pm & 6:30pm, Fridays 8pm, Saturdays 2pm & 8pm, and Sundays 2pm. Joining Megee is heralded local thespian Mark Robbins in a ghoulish comedy in which the pair play more than 25 different characters on the H&R Block Copaken Stage at 13th and Walnut.