Phyl

By Joseph Cervelli

Yes! The Mint Company is back with yet another delightful offering. So many of the plays they showcase have not been seen in decades. The current offering which sadly is closing November 7 (should stay longer) is "Phyl  written in 1911 by the British playwright Cicely Hamilton a suffragette and now premiering in New York. There are infrequent times when some of the Mint's offerings can have a stale feel to them so it is a real pleasure when those that deal with women's independence come to the forefront which is certainly the case here. Watching this production with a lead by Lily Ganser ("Stereophonic") as Phyllis "Phyl" who is simply superb as an unhappy governess is a joy. It is no wonder minding and trying to teach two bratty children Betty (Tessa Bilmes) and Olive (Charlotte Van Ledtje) causes her unhappiness.  Both girls with their ghastly behavior are extremely well played.  Teaching them is a difficult feat when they put up obstacles throughout. Ganser is a real find with her razor sharp performance trying to not explode at the girls until it is too late. She wants freedom to travel and do so much more with her listless life. It is bad enough to dislike the job and the children you are trying to educate, but it does not help when the mother of the girls is the uppity and equally revolting Mrs. Ponsonby (wonderfully played by Katie Firth.) 

It is not easy for Phyl to just pack up and leave but that is what might await her when she verbally attacks the miserable Mrs. Ponsonby. Phyl has no family except for her sweet but very reserved older sister Cathy who lives in London. Suddenly, things start to turn around when who should appear in the room where Phyl was teaching the girls but the dashingly handsome Jack Folliott (played with felicitous charm by Anthony Michael Martinez.) They take a liking to each other and even start--heaven forbid!--to smoke when Mrs. Ponsonby's eldest daughter Mabel (Livvy Marcus) discovers this. It does not help when you find out that Ponsonby wants Jack for her daughter. Needless to say, Phyl is fired but not to worry for she is about to take off on a flight of fancy with the likable and wealthy Jack. 

This is what probably caused a huge sensation as to why it was first banned. Imagine an unmarried woman taking off with her boyfriend to the Riviera and sharing the same room. Phyl is the epitome of the independent woman going out on her own and wearing what looks like Bohemian clothing. While things are going quite well with both of them a mysterious older man Mr. Westmacott (Curzon Dobell) needs to see Jack who is out shopping and gambling. Jack is more of a free spirit than we think and immediately you begin to think if he is as honest a person as you had the impression at first seeing him. 

No need to go any further for like so many Mint productions all ends well for our winsome couple.

What makes this play work besides it being so well written and likable is the chemistry between both leads. From pleasantries in the first act to to the the fiery intensity between them in the second they could not be more believable. Much credit must go to director Britt Berke who gave us the equally memorable Mint production "Becomes a Woman." 

Brittany Vasta's set design is on target and Alicia J. Austin's costumes appropriately elegant although what I described  Phyl wearing as Bohemian not as attractive. 

Watching so many of the Mint shows it is always amazing to think what a stir such shows like this one caused which focused on breaking the moralistic code of how characters should behave.

Briskly witty and charmingly played I urge you to see it before November 7. 

Photos: Todd Cerveris

Tickets are available at the Mint Theater Company at Theater Row on 42nd Street.