Picasso at the Lapin Agile

Susan Partington catches us up on the local community theatre haps (UPDATED to inlcude her pre-opening night review).

When I heard about Evolution Theatre Company’s upcoming play Picasso at the Lapin Agile, my first thought was “what the hell is a Lapin Agile?” Google tells me it means ‘nimble rabbit’ but I’m uncultured and not French, so I just picture a ‘jumpin’ bunny’. This ‘Jumpin’ Bunny’ is actually a famous bar in Paris that opened in the 1800s and is still open today (with four stars on TripAdvisor, if you’re ever in the neighbourhood).

Picasso at the Lapin Agile is a light-hearted look at creative brilliance, written by Steve Martin, a comedy powerhouse since the 1970s. I remember him fondly as the dad in Father of the Bride and, more recently, in Only Murders in the Building. 

This play, a comedy set in 1904 at this iconic bar, takes playgoers back to the dawn of the 20th century to see Pablo Picasso and Albert Einstein on the brink of changing the world with their genius. Like every bar throughout time, it’s filled with colourful characters who add to the lively ambiance of the Jumpin’ Bunny and the humour of the play. 

I spoke with Kevin Haggard who plays Freddy, the bartender. Audiences will remember Kevin as the rock-n-roll teacher in School of Rock and the angriest juror in Evolution’s 12 Angry Jurors. Kevin brings humour and heart to the stage in every role, and I’m looking forward to seeing him as the whimsical bartender, Freddy. With a luxurious beard and a pet donkey, Freddy was a real-life character who would let artists pay their bar tabs with works of art. Picasso probably downed a drink (or several) at Freddy’s place, given his famous work, “Au Lapin Agile.” 

Kevin is enjoying bringing this character to life on stage and delivering his zingy one-liners. Although the play is about geniuses, the humour isn’t overly intellectual, and will appeal to everyone. Why not take a break from real life and immerse yourself in the absurd world of the Jumpin’ Bunny for an evening? The play runs from February 27 - March 9 at Evolution Theatre Company on Disraeli Street. Find their website or Facebook page for more info and buy tickets at Trybooking.com or the Gisborne iSite. 

REVIEW by Susan Partington

As soon as “Picasso at the Lapin Agile” opens, it is clear that Evolution Theatre Company is going to take the audience on a wild and crazy ride. The whole play is set in a Parisian pub, the Lapin Agile, with a colourful and eclectic mix of staff and regulars who fill the pub with their witty banter. The play was written by Steve Martin, and you can hear his voice in the dialogue which swings from dry, deadpan humour to over-the-top hilarity.

The basic premise is Picasso and Einstein walk into a bar. The Spanish artist is played with lusty enthusiasm by Myles Ashworth, and the German scientist is brought to life by Brent Charles Forge with nerdy charm. Orbiting around these two larger-than-life geniuses are a bevy of hilarious barflies - the aging yet lusty Frenchman, the buffoonish businessman, the seductive vamp, the pretentious art lover and more. The supporting actors all add to the whimsy and absurdity of the world of the Lapin Agile. As always, I was blown away by the set. It sent me to outer space - literally! This play brought the lols and left me wanting more. When the lights went up, I wasn’t ready to say adieu to the Lapin Agile.

I encourage you to buy a ticket and come see for yourself what happens when two famous geniuses collide. Who will win the duel between art and science? Who is the time-travelling visitor who pops into the Lapin Agile? The cast and crew of this show have created a hilarious journey through time and space that runs through March 9 at Evolution Theatre Company on Disraeli St. Grab your tickets from their website or the Gizzy iSite.