CheekyChicago

So far, Lifeline Theatre’s 27^th season has gone swimmingly, and for those who’ve felt a recent lack of dry, smarmy, crime comedy in their schedule, Lifeline will deliver. Busman’s Honeymoon is the fourth episode Lifeline has produced as an adaptation from the works of Dorothy L. Sayers. This work, which takes place between the two world wars, depicts class issues (amongst other things) and keeps you turning the pages. In this tale of murder, marriage and dark humor, the detective Lord Peter Whimsy finally ties the knot with his love interest from the last episode, the crime novelist (coincidentally enough) Harriet Vane. Their upper class marriage seems perfect at first, as they sneakily run off to the countryside for their honeymoon. But of course, nothing with that kind of set up can end without a corpse hidden somewhere. This adaptation of Sayers work is extremely impressive, the story moves at a wonderful pace and the current of humor bubbles along with constancy.

Peter Greenberg’s fourth portrayal (or attempt, as he puts it) of Lord Peter Whimsy is wonderful. I was unable to see him play the role the previous three times, but as far as I know, he’s just getting better at it. He has an observational quality and a constantly calculating inner thought process that he can demonstrate to the audience without saying one word. The character of Harriet Vane, Lord Whimsy’s new partner in matrimony, is delicately and sensitively portrayed by Jennifer Tyler, who has played the part in the last two episodes of the storyline. My personal favorite performance came from the character called Bunter, Lord Whimsy’s trusty friend and house servant. The role was filled by Phil Timberlake, whose exquisite desert climate timing and deep connection and devotion to his employer creates a strong glue in the story. Not only between Lord Whimsy and his new bride, but also in a matter of class. Bunter, while being visibly noble in manner and speech, seems to create a bridge between the very clear socio-economic differences between the high and the low ends of the class system that the play presents. You can also expect to find wonderful set and costume design.

All in all, a great show. It gets deeper as it goes, and it’s always moving.

Recommended.