Elevator Thoughts (aka Tweet): Sam Holcroft’s Edgar & Annabel play by Pony World Theatre at 12th Ave Arts. Seamless coordination between what’s real vs fake. Mr. & Mrs. Smith or Alias vibes. Begins with a novel optional interactive spy remedial training. Tickets selling out with only 4 more performances till the 11/30/24 closing!
See it.
My Synopsis (No Spoilers): A spy couple strugges to balance their real personal life vs their fake professional life. But at what cost? Is it worth it?
Synopsis from the Licensor or Theatre Company: Conscientious recycling, karaoke parties, home cooked meals: Edgar and Annabel enjoy the perfect, middle-class marriage. And they can keep it if no one finds out they’re actually Nick and Marianne, two resistance fighters who assume fake identities to avoid the detection of an Orwellian government. With every moment of their lives literally scripted to support the subterfuge, the slightest surprise puts them and their whole organization at risk. When rewrites and improvisations throw their plans into chaos, they wont know who they can trust least of all each other. A darkly comedic spy thriller, Edgar & Annabel explores the lines between public and private, asking what we would sacrifice to stay free. Prior to performance of this riveting tale, the audience is invited to arrive early to participate in a collection of puzzles meant to train the next generation of Agents tasked with seeking out subversive elements. This training is available as early as 7:00pm, with cohorts of recruits allowed into the theatre roughly every ten minutes until the start of the show. While these puzzles are optional and merely observing is perfectly allowed, PWT encourages everyone to arrive early to take advantage of the full experience.
Type: Play
World Premiere: No
Several or Few Scenes: Several
Several or Few Settings/Locations: Only 2-3
Static (Stationary) or Dynamic Set: Static
Prior Exposure/Knowledge Required: None
Defined Plot/Storyline: Yes
Union Actors: 0
Total Actors: 7
Perceived Pace of the Show: Medium speed
Was there an intermission? No
Length (Including Any Intermission): 80 minutes
Was This the First Time I Attended a Production of this Show? Yes
Would I See It Again 3 Years from Now? No, but it was good
Mainstream Appeal: Medium
Other Rave(s) Not Mentioned Above
- Real vs Fake Life: The script and actors expertly switched between portraying what the spy characters wanted to show to their enemies versus revealing to the audience their true emotions. It was as if they were performing for two audiences: the one watching in the theatre and the one monitoring them through surveillance.
- Interactive Training: Before the main performance, audience members were encouraged (but not required) to participate in mock spy remedial training exercises that consisted of audio surveillance, a cluster scan, and a crime scene investigation. While I personally don’t gravitate to interactive theatre (pillow princess here!), Seattleites and Portlanders people would eat this up. I will say that the crime scene investigation answers were impossible!
Theatre Company: Pony World Theatre
Venue: 12th Ave Arts
Venue Physical Address: 1620 12th Ave, Seattle, WA 98122
Price Range: $24
Dates: November 1 to November 30, 2024
Seating: General Admission
Parking: Paid lot or paid street parking. Street parking is extremely limited since it’s Capitol Hill. Even if you can find street parking, it often costs more than some parking lots. I highly recommend the paid lot at 1300 E Olive St with the entrance on 14th Ave.
Like/Comment/Share my Social Media Posts About this Performance:
Buy a Ticket or Learn More:
Pictures: See production pictures below.
Cast and Production Team: See pictures below.
