“Comical. Funny. Laura Condlln shines.”

During the pre-show discussion on Saturday evening for Charlotte Corbeil-Coleman's clever adaptation of ‘Madame Minister’ (based on Branislav Nusic's 1929 THE CABINET MINISTER'S WIFE), the question arose whether the production was a farce or a comedy of errors. I harken back to my undergraduate years and the terminology I learned therein. It’s true ‘Madame Minister’ could be considered one or the other.

For me, ‘Madame Minister’ becomes an intelligent drawing-room comedy that employs sustained humour to drive the story forward while resonating with modern influences and references. Throughout Corbeil-Coleman’s adaptation, the sustained humour in the contrast of thoughts and ideas swings back and forth like a pendulum.

Set in a beautiful historical home in Barrie, ‘Madame Minister’ is a family's story (according to the TIFT website) in uncertain times. It’s a play about power and prestige. It’s a play about a mother, Zivka Popovic (Laura Condlln), the wife of a Belgrade politician. Ironically, while the setting for the audience takes place in a sumptuous entrance hallway, Zivka has come to her Aunt Savka (Gabi Epstein) to borrow money to pay bills and make ends meet.

Word arrives that the government has fallen. The side of Zivka’s husband is now in power. Word has come that Zivka’s husband has been made Minister, so she now believes she will be called ‘The Minister’s Wife.’ Zivka thinks all her troubles will be gone with this new title and begins acting like a ‘minister’s wife’ should – highbrow and upper class.

Zivka has never liked her daughter Dara’s husband, Ceda. Now that the family has improved its social status, she wants to find her daughter a new husband. Ceda, played by Nolan Moberly, is a musician, and their relationship adds a humorous subplot that will eventually resolve itself.

Meanwhile, Zivka has grand ambitions for herself, particularly involving the charming Doctor Ninkovic, portrayed by Cyrus Lane. In a brilliant comedic moment, Ninkovic attempts to seduce Zivka, which becomes hilarious due to his switching between English and French. He speaks English with a thick French accent, while his French sentences are delivered with a strong English accent, creating a delightful contrast.

The plot humorously intensifies, sometimes complex, leading to a satisfying conclusion.

Layne Coleman directs Corbeil-Coleman’s modern-sounding dialogue with spirit.

It’s a good choice to stage this production in a historical home. Audience members enter this historic Barrie home through a side entrance that leads into a spacious open-concept kitchen. We are guided to a sitting area for a pre-show discussion. Afterward, the audience moves to the front hallway, where the performance space is in the center, with seats on both sides. It’s a little tight. There were moments from my seat when my sightline was blocked at the top of the show from seeing Epstein’s Aunt Savka for a bit.

Elegant wooden panel doors are typically closed and opened by the quick-witted housekeeper, Anka (wonderfully portrayed by Mariya Khomutova with a definitive sultry and sexy sharpness).

Great care has been taken to ensure attention to detail, both in the visuals and the reality of the world that Corbeil-Coleman captures in her script. For example, Varvarfa Evchuk makes lovely choices for the ladies' stunning dresses and has impressive selections for men's attire. The topcoat Cyrus Lane wears is quite striking from where I sat in the house. As Mrs. Nata, Gabi Epstein dons a gorgeous form-fitting emerald knockout of an outfit. Evchuk has also chosen props appropriate for the era, including a floor-length circular mirror and a chaise lounge.

Laura Condlln delivers a remarkable performance as Zivka. She embodies the genuine spark of a determined individual who, as director Coleman notes in the program, “lived in a time when women were not granted much power except the force of their own possibilities.”

Earlier, during the pre-show conversation, there was a discussion on whether Zivka could be considered the ‘King Lear’ of comedy. That’s an interesting thought as there are moments when Condlln waves her arms, throws her head back, and speaks loudly.

There are some spirited on-stage appearances and characterizations from notable Canadian theatre artists. Cyrus Lane becomes a riot as a Frenchman with difficulty speaking the language. Mariya Khomutova is the all-knowing, sassy, sexy maid/housekeeper, Anka. Gabi Epstein beautifully skewers the high society of the day as Mrs. Nata.

Final Thoughts: It was incredibly cold the night I attended ‘Madame Minister.’

I didn’t want to miss the performance. A few emails exchanged with Arkady Spivak earlier in the day encouraged me and assured me the weather would be fine.

So, off I ventured with a friend.

Barrie’s Talk is Free productions always inspire me to discuss what I’ve just seen. That’s one reason you should attend.

‘Madame Minister’ runs until December 7 at 142 Collingwood Street, Barrie. For tickets: visit www.tift.ca or call (705) 792-1949.

KIM KIELLER & FRED STRANGWAY and PETER KOETSIER & WENDY WINGFELDER present
‘MADAME MINISTER’ adapted by Charlotte Corbeil-Coleman.
From Branislav Nusic’s ‘The Cabinet Minister’s Wife’ translated from Serbian by Cintija Asperger

Directed by Layne Coleman
Assistant Director: Shaquille Pottinger
Production Manager: Maya Royer
Stage Manager: Meghan Speakman
Assistant Stage Manager: Alysse Szatkowski
Set & Costume Design: Varvara Evchuk

Performers: Noah Beemer, Laura Condlln, Aidan DeSalaiz Gabi Epstein, Brittany Kay, Cyrus Lane, Mariya Khomutova, Nolan Moberly.