Hats Off To Northlight Theater By Anna Hessel
Hats Off To Northlight Theater
By Anna Hessel
Northlight Theatre’s world premiere of “Mr. Dickens’ Hat”, written by Michael Hollinger, is a fun, madcap play with music, at times farcical, with a very appropriate message in these tumultuous times: that we are all the same under our hats. The play tells the story surrounding the theft of a Charles Dickens’ chapeau from its place of honor in a Victorian shop. The actors are stellar, the accents spot on, and the use of pantomime helps tell the sordid tale. We never see a bird or a dog but it is easy to imagine them both since the mimes are so well executed.
The costumes are very unique, especially a stunning white ghostly gown, and of course a bevy of hats, including a swan wedding veil and owl in flight hat. The headpiece star is high above the stage, dead center, on a pole, a black opera top hat that belonged to the legendary author. Most of the action takes place in the millinery shop where a charming young teen employee is working diligently to free her father from debtors ‘ prison. This avid reader, who has already read the entire Bible, is given a book of Dickens’ works by her gallant boss, one of the two shop owners. Her relationship with his son, whom she reads to, is very touching.
The numerous characters are humorously yet seriously presented by the six actors, especially the would-be thieves and the red mitten wearing constable. I loved the many hat boxes adorning the stage and the use of shadowing. Lighting effects give the set an eerie and ethereal feel. Adorable, simple wood mini buildings, lit from the inside, add a touch of whimsy to an otherwise relatively dark stage. The illuminating lighting design by Jason Lynch is exceptional. Even Christmas carolers play a pivotal role and the closing song is endearing. Don’t miss this brand new holiday production, but run like the Dickens to see the play about his hat, which ends January 2nd. For tickets or more information, please see their website at www.northlight.org.
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