DETAILS

With Bells On presented by Lunchbox Theatre
Lunchbox Theatre
Monday, November 22 - Saturday, December 18

More in: Theatre

Lunchbox Theatre’s holiday offering this year is a cute little show — albeit somewhat offbeat — called With Bells On. It’s not a Christmas production in the most obvious sense, but if one of the criteria for a show at this time of year is “heartwarming,” then With Bells On definitely fits the bill.

The world première comedy, written by Edmonton-based playwright and drag performer Darrin Hagen, tells the story of a recently divorced accountant, listed simply as “He” in the program (Stafford Perry), who meets a statuesque and stunning drag queen, “She” (Paul Welch), while sharing a ride in their apartment building’s elevator. (While Hagen often performs in his own plays, he doesn’t this time around.)

The sight of a short Perry dressed in a conservative suit, standing next to a very, very tall Welch, bedecked like a Christmas tree complete with a big blond wig, a headdress resembling the Statue of Liberty, and a floor-length skirt covered with bells and baubles is, on its own, worth the price of the ticket. Clearly, He is mesmerized by the sight She presents, and the audience finds out He has also been watching She through his window, much to She’s annoyance.

As awkward silence evolves into awkward conversation, the elevator breaks down. Despite She’s best attempts to push the emergency button in a haughty my-time-is-far-too-important-for-this-delay fashion, and her yells for help, no one comes. As such, She and He have to spend time alone in the close confines of the elevator, made even smaller by the voluminous nature of She’s skirt. He proceeds to ask She some innocent, perhaps naive, questions, and She sharpens her wit at his expense. However, before long, She softens up, and the two end up sharing confidences. The audience finds out that, despite their very different exteriors, they share similar feelings of loneliness and inadequacy.

When the elevator gets stuck, She is actually on her way to a drag queen pageant to vie for the title of “Christmas Queen.” As She tries to practise her dance routine in the elevator to pass the time, She finds out He has some unexpected talents. The two hatch a plan to get out of the elevator and save her chances of winning the pageant crown, while giving him the opportunity to break free of his inhibited shell and live a little.

The scene with She lip-synching and dancing for her title — with He’s help — is full of fun and offers a great contrast to the rest of the show.

The show is slow getting started, but once it gets going, it’s a fun ride. Yes, it plays on all sorts of clichés, particularly that the conservative-looking little man is repressed and naive, and that the drag queen is worldly and sophisticated. But, in this case, using stereotypes is part of the fun. Yes, Hagen includes some self-conscious, self-gratifying references to drag queens, such as when She tells He that “we’re (drag queens) all over,” which, in a different production, could be annoying. But, in this show, it added to the humour. The characters are likable, and Welch, in particular, is to be congratulated for his fabulous portrayal of She, complete with her glittery lip gloss and cheek-grazing pink eyelashes. Welch could have another career ahead of him if he’s interested.

With Bells On is not a roll-in-the-aisles funny show, but, rather, offers audiences some gentle humour that includes holiday-appropriate messages on the value of friendship and taking the time to get to know your neighbours. You root for He and She.