Review: ‘The Children’s Hour’

By Michelle Karparis | Associate Editor 

This past weekend, the Salve Regina Department of Music, Theatre, and Dance presented “The Children’s Hour,” a play by Lillian Hellman. The play was directed by Reggie Phoenix and performed at the Casino Theatre in Newport.

The setting of the play was at a private school called Dobie/Wright in 1934. Act I takes place in the Dobie/Wright drawing room, a classroom in the house where all of the students and teachers of Dobie/Wright live. The drawing room features large bookshelves, several desks, and large couches where female students in navy and red plaid uniforms studied.

Act I features a young girl named Mary Tilford, played by Morgan Salpietro ‘19, who is a notorious liar and stereotypical bully at Dobie/Wright School. She goes around school threatening and blackmailing other girls and is loathed by all of her teachers. Two such teachers are Martha Dobie, played by Madisyn Mugavero ‘19, and Mrs. Lily Mortar, played by Alexandra D’Agostino ‘17.

Act II takes place in the home of Mary’s grandmother, Mrs. Amelia Tilford, played by Sofia Corrado ‘19, where Mary goes when she runs away from the Dobie/Wright School. Here, she shares information that she learned from two other students about an argument between Mrs. Mortar and Martha Dobie. The argument included Mrs. Mortar calling Martha jealous about an upcoming wedding between her fellow teacher Karen Wright, played by Laura Jedynasty ‘17, and Doctor Joseph Cardin, played by Kenneth Bennell ‘18. Mrs. Mortar accuses Martha of being involved in an “unnatural” relationship with Karen. Adding her own embellishment to the story, Mary convinces her grandmother that Martha Dobie and Karen Wright are, in fact, involved in such a relationship, and students are growing increasingly concerned.

Mary’s story results in her grandmother calling the parents of all of the other students and turns into a fast-spreading rumor that ultimately causes the Dobie/Wright School to shut down. Act III takes place at the former Dobie/Wright School, where Karen Wright and Martha Dobie still live after they have essentially become public outcasts and have fallen into a spiraling depression.

The audience at Friday night’s performance seemed exceedingly pleased with the performance, undoubtedly having to do with the obvious effort and passion put into every aspect of the show. The set and lights, by Barbara “Pippin” McGowan, costumes, by Marilyn Salvatore, and sound, by Andy Russ, portrayed a convincing 1930s atmosphere and the actors and actresses put on an overall terrific show.

The program states that the cast and crew wanted to portray an anti-bullying message, hoping to “Make young people think before they type an insult to another person.” It also features statistics and information about depression and suicide, especially in young people, to further this
message.

Upcoming events at the Casino Theatre include the Extensions Dance Company on November 17-19, the Orchestra Concert on December 3rd, and the Band Holiday Concert on December 4th. The next play to come to the Casino Theatre from Salve’s Department of Music, Theatre, and Dance will be “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” in February.