Farce to launch Dobama’s new season

If you loved the English-garden opulence in the stage setting for Humble Boy, prepare yourself for something completely different in The Walworth Farce. The play, written by Enda Walsh and directed by Marc Moritz, opens on Sept. 20—the start of Dobama Theatre’s 2010-2011 season.

Picture a three-room "council flat" in London, a low-rent, rundown "piece of crap," as describes, Ron Newell. He uses strong language, but as set designer for both plays, he may be entitled. The play is about Dinny and his two sons, living in London, but missing their Irish homeland. Described as hilarious, terrifying and ferociously entertaining, the play comes with rapid-fire costume changes and mistaken identities.

Attractive backyard garden or shabby apartment, Ron Newell’s approach to set design follows the same process. First comes a session with the play’s director to develop ideas. Then, a script reading leads to floor plans and rough sketches. Again, a meeting with the director to review sight lines for Dobama’s thrust stage, and to accommodate player movement, entrances and exits. Finding just the right set pieces was a challenge. The Walworth Farce sent Newell to junk stores, resale shops and garage sales. He’s gone dumpster diving, and combed curbsides for discarded treasures. Before layering in the set’s color palette, the costumer is consulted. It is all a very iterative process, sometimes stressing the art of negotiation. In the end, says Newell, "you want to do what’s best for the play."

The Walworth Farce runs from Sept. 10 through Oct. 3. For tickets and a schedule for the upcoming season, call 216-932-3396 or visit www.dobama.org.

Evan Komito is a resident of Cleveland Heights and an avid theatergoer.