‘Anything can happen’ during Red Curtain’s evening of one-acts

Two for the price of one is always intriguing, especially when it comes to arts events.

That’s what Red Curtain Theatre is offering with its evening of one acts, performances of “The Real Inspector Hound” and “The Actor’s Nightmare,” opening this weekend.

The works are by two well-known playwrights, written respectively by Tom Stoppard and Christopher Durang.

“The Real Inspector Hound” is one of Stoppard’s earliest works, written in 1968, part of a career that has spanned five decades.

Stoppard was “sort of writing a satire on how critics view themselves in the world of theater,” said Joe Goins, who is directing the production.

Critics can sometimes be pedantic and often feel as if they have more influence than they actually do, he said.

The play involves theater critics watching a play who begin having a conversation as the play is ongoing amidst a performance that involves a rather complicated who done it?

“It doesn’t quite verge on slapstick, but it is a lot of knee-jerk humor,” Goins said.

The rather intricate storyline is typical of Stoppard’s works, he said.

“We’ve got to have seven different layers,” ” Goins said. “It sounds really convoluted when you try to tell the story but makes complete and total sense when you see it on stage.”

He said he has tinkered some with the play, changing its setting from England to New Jersey. Actors speak in a mix of Jersey, Bronx and Midwestern accents, and they Americanize some colloquialisms.

Durang’s “The Actor’s Nightmare” is one of a series of short plays he has authored.

Goins summarizes it this way: “Absurd, surreal type of dreamscape insanity.”

It involves a man who is an accountant, not aspiring to be an actor, but thrust into a situation where he has to perform on stage in plays without having any rehearsals.

Although not steeped in theater, the character approaches his dilemma with a “I’ll try to make the best of it” philosophy, Goins said.

“The whole play, you’re kind of winking at the audience,” he said. “It’s a lot of fun, and we’re having fun doing it.”

Don’t expect the expected. Even the ending has a twist with two curtain calls, one written into the end of the script and then one for the cast.

The cast of eight act in both plays.

Audiences should be prepared for an evening of both comedy and absurdity.

“It is absurdly entertaining,” Goins said. “Anything can happen and probably will.”

Sharon Salyer: 425-339-3486 or salyer@heraldnet.com.

If you go

What: An Evening of One-Acts featuring “The Real Inspector Hound” and “The Actor’s Nightmare”

When: Oct. 19 to Nov. 4, 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays; 2 p.m. Sundays

Where: Red Curtain Arts Center, 9315 State Ave., Suite J, Marysville

Tickets: $18 adults or $15 seniors, students and military