Michael Couchman’s favourite line from the play The Maltese Falcon is “My way of learning is to heave a wild and unpredictable monkey-wrench into things”. This is one of the many classic lines that his character, Sam Spade, is given by playwright David Jacklin. Michael shared with me that Spade’s line “captures his instinct for shaking up people and situations, throwing things off balance to watch how people react and uncover the truth. He relies on his nerve, intuition, and controlled chaos to get the job done. His behaviour might look reckless and haphazard to the outside observer, but there’s method in his madness”. This Studio Theatre Perth production, sponsored by Riverwood Pizza Co. is going to take you into “the moody, gritty world of film noir”, writes Couchman. “Sam Spade is such an iconic character,” he adds. “I am excited to take on such an intriguing and challenging role”. Couchman had previously worked with Jacklin and Falcon director David Bird on Cratchit with Barn Door Productions, and says he is incredibly eager to team up with them again, as he knows it will be a very fulfilling creative experience.
Marc Laferriere also has a favourite line that his character gets to use: “You bungled it! You fat fool!” Laferriere feels that these words show Joel Cairo’s true colours, his anger and low opinion of his co-conspirator Casper Gutman, played with relish by Joseph Nieforth. Laferriere loves radio plays, and The Maltese Falcon weaves in an out of that genre as characters move seamlessly between talking into microphones in a radio studio and then prowling the gritty night streets of 1940s San Francisco. Laferriere gets to play a villain for the first time, which he says is fun. This writer will be having fun as well on stage in the radio play scenes as the Foley artist, back with Laferriere after doing It’s a Wonderful Life together on stage at Station Theatre in Smiths Falls.
Rob Millard takes on the job of Narrator, always a fascinating role. “I like the storyteller kind of delivery, putting substance around scenes and sequences with the other cast acting in a somewhat simplified set.” Millard loves a classic story and confides: “I enjoyed the movie of the same name as a youngster, and it helped set the foundation for a love of detective stories and characters.” And speaking of characters, in this production femme fatale roles are portrayed by Lisa Swett, Alexis Scott and Christine E O’Malley, with tough guy roles fleshed out by Oliver Weldon, Alan Humphreys, Dave Shaw and Zach Moriarity.
The curtain rises at 7pm for shows on April 30 and May 1, 7 and 8; with 2pm matinées on May 2, 3 and 10, and a special 3pm matinée on May 9. Visit TicketsPlease.ca for tickets.