By Paul Love
Guest Reviewer

After discovering theatre in the early 1980s, Norm Foster began writing plays at a relatively feverish pace; to date, he has more than 50 plays that have been produced across North America and abroad. One of his newest plays, The Gentleman Clothier, was first produced only six years ago and is now being staged by Stage Centre Productions at the Fairview Library Theatre.

Have you ever felt as though you were born in the wrong time? That very notion is the essence of Norman Davenport (J. B. Pierre Rajotte), a self-proclaimed confirmed bachelor, who longs to live in a simpler time, when people were well-dressed, well-mannered, and not rushing about all the time. The show opens with Norman preparing for the grand opening of his men’s clothing store in Halifax. A brash young woman, named Sophie (Nikki Hogan), walks into Norman’s shop unannounced and insists that he hire her as a tailor. Another unexpected visitor arrives, this time a sophisticated woman named Alisha (Cindy Platten), who is hoping to have a suit made for her husband’s birthday. Alisha and Norman hit it off immediately, and he finds himself rather smitten with her. On the day of the shop’s opening, a man named Patrick (Dayjan Lesmond) comes in, begging Norman for a job, with the promise that he’s very handy. Throughout the first act, Norman speaks of wishing that he lived in the late 1800s, claiming that life was better then. After making a wish on a stray ladybug, Norman is surprised to discover that wishes can true, as he is whisked back to 1894 London (complete with nineteenth-century versions of Sophie, Alisha, and Patrick) for the second act.

Though he is in the time in which he always wanted to live, Norman discovers that there are many downsides to living in the nineteenth century. The message of the play seems to be that every time has its good points and bad points, so instead of wishing you were in a different setting, you might as well enjoy the here and now that you’re in. Or something to that effect. The play doesn’t delve too far beyond reminding us that the rights of women and the LGBTQ+ community have improved, and that medical advancements have improved our quality of life. This is a comedy, after all, and the play tries not to get too serious about such things, but at the same time, there are moments where Norman gives twenty-first-century advice to the 1890s Sophie and Alisha that is completely irresponsible.

Mr. Rajotte plays Norman as a kind-hearted but fussy man. His portrayal of the character matches nicely with the notion of a man who seems like he doesn’t belong in the twenty-first century. Ms. Hogan adds an energetic spark to the production with a Sophie who has strong opinions that she doesn’t mind sharing, and this juxtaposes nicely with Norman’s fuddy-duddy nature. She enhances some funny moments with good physicality. Mr. Lesmond’s Patrick is kind and eager but rather helpless. He has some good moments with the other actors. Ms. Platten gives a dynamite performance as Alisha. She carries a wonderful energy with her the entire time she’s on stage, and she shows a nice contrast between the two versions of her character. Her mannerisms and facial expressions are spot-on and often hilarious.

Mr. Rajotte’s set is, in a word, breathtaking. From the moment you walk into the Fairview Library Theatre, the Davenport’s Gentlemen’s Clothing store immediately draws you in with its opulent beauty — warm wood finishes, luxurious fabrics, pops of colour, and ornate detailing everywhere. From the quaint hand-drawn shade over the door stage right to the cozy wingback chairs stage left, no detail is missed. Not only does the set serve its purpose of being a men’s clothing store but it is dressed with such painstaking detail that it is the embodiment of Norman’s stylish, old-world sensibilities. Even the symmetry of the store’s display area mirrors Norman’s traditional sense of style. The costumes, which were also designed by Mr. Rajotte (is there anything this man can’t do?), matched the characters’ personalities nicely.

Director Todd Davies makes good use of the set, never crowding his actors or having them move around just for the sake of moving around.

Performances are at the Fairview Library Theatre, 35 Fairview Mall Drive in Toronto, next to the Fairview Mall. Remaining performances are February 5, 6, and 7 at 8 pm, with an additional matinee performance on February 8 at 2 pm. Tickets are available at the door, by calling 416-299-5557, or by visiting their website.

(L-R): J.B. Pierre Rajotte and Dayjan Lesmond