Parting the Red Curtains: A show that takes it up the arts!

The risqué nature of the show that Queenie van de Zandt’s character the musical therapist Jan van de Stool launches upon her audience may be evident in the production’s sub-title.  Though there’s nothing crude in the humour that van de Stool launches upon her audience, it’s definitely risqué.

The production takes the form of a new opportunity for van de Stool: a live variety show involving several audience members in her on-stage antics.  The show’s real strengths lie in van de Stool’s apparently spontaneous remarks, essentially extended stand-up comedy enhanced by occasional audience victimisation.  

Leaving aside that one segment didn’t quite bear the number of repetitions it underwent, the show’s variety in format maintained interest, and a particularly impressive aspect was the performance’s careful pacing; at no point was anything too much, too blatant, or too soon.

What made it especially funny was the straight-faced innocence with which this warm, disarmingly motherly character delivered her bombshells, including unintended insult of her (never seen) off-stage co-performer, her long-suffering stage manager, and her audience.  What’s more, when she finally sings seriously, what emerges is delightful.

Jan van de Stool’s innocent descent into linguistic mayhem makes a great night’s entertainment, leaving you with a bellyful of laughs.  I recommend seeing it if you get the chance.

John P. Harvey