A classic British farce with a twist on light and shadow takes center stage this summer at Pentacle Theatre
When the lights go out at Pentacle Theatre this summer, the comedy kicks in.
That’s the twist in Black Comedy, a one-act British farce by Peter Shaffer. The show flips theatrical convention on its head. When the characters are plunged into darkness by a blown fuse, the stage lights come up—so the audience sees everything the characters “can’t.”
What follows is a fast-paced, laugh-out-loud night of missteps and mayhem as sculptor Brindsley Miller scrambles to hide the fact that he’s “borrowed” his neighbor’s antiques to impress his fiancée’s father and a millionaire art collector.
“It’s just so funny,” said director Debbie Neel. “It’s smart, it’s surprising, and it’s very physical.”
That physicality is a big part of the challenge. The actors must navigate a world they can’t “see,” falling into chairs, colliding with one another, and fumbling with props in carefully choreographed chaos. Paul Malone of Fake Fighting Company is helping stage the action.
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Vicki Woods
Pentacle Theatre presents Black Comedy
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Vicki Woods
Pentacle Theatre presents Black Comedy
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Vicki Woods
Pentacle Theatre presents Black Comedy
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Vicki Woods
Pentacle Theatre presents Black Comedy
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Vicki Woods
Pentacle Theatre presents Black Comedy
At the center of the madness is Ryan Snyder as Brindsley. “He never gets to rest. He’s constantly moving, constantly reacting. It’s a very active part,” said Debbie.
The ensemble around him includes Megan Emerick as his fiancée Carol, and Robert Barnett as her stern father, Colonel Melkett. Pamela Bilderbeck appears as the tightly wound Miss Furnival, while Anthony Redelsperger plays the flamboyant and ill-timed neighbor, Harold Gorringe. Rounding out the cast are Emilie Sass as Clea, Brindsley’s ex, and Antonio Schoaps and Steven Marik as a pair of unexpected guests. (Antonio also serves as stage manager and fight captain.)
The setting—a 1965 South Kensington flat—adds to the charm. “You can’t really modernize this play because of technology,” said Debbie. “Nowadays, the power goes out, you reach for your phone. That wasn’t true back in the day.”
With vintage flair, physical comedy, and theatrical sleight of hand, Black Comedy offers a comical escape. “This show is hilarious. It really is,” said Debbie. “It’s light and funny. Ordinary people in a crazy situation. I think we need this in our world right now.”
Black Comedy
When: 7:30 p.m. June 27-28, July 3-5, 10-12, 17-19 and 2 p.m. June 29, July 6, and 12-13.
Where: Pentacle Theatre, 324 52nd Ave NW
Tickets: pentacletheatre.org
Pentacle is teaming up with Artists in Action to present a pop-up visual art exhibit in the theater lobby. The pre- and post-show experience will feature work of varying media by local artists, drawing a connection to the play’s central character, a metal sculptor.
This story originally ran in Press Play Salem issue 24 ( Summer 2025)
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