‘Phyl’ – Charm with a Message

By Alix Cohen

Jonathan Bank, long running Artstic Director of the Mint Theater, is an expert at discovering lost, obscure or unproduced plays. He seems to have a particular penchant for writers exploring issues ahead of their times.

Banned at Oxford University, Phyl debuted in Manchester 1913. Its reception was mixed, with controversy helping to raise its profile. The piece addresses female sexual and economic liberation, women’s subordinated social status, without campaigning.

Phyllis “Phyl” Chester (a splendid Lily Ganser) is having a miserable time as governess to Betty (Tessa Blimes) and Olive Ponsonby. (Charlotte Van Ledtje) The girls are precocious hellions. Working with children since she was 17, the young woman is lonely, exhausted, and pointedly bored.

When her older sister, Cathy (Jennifer Blood) briefly visits, Phyl sees the drab, struggling alternative to her precarious profession. Cathy raised her sibling. She’s “good” to the core. Phyl loves her but is horrified at what she sees as inevitable.

Jack Folliott (Anthony Michael Martinez), a rich, handsome houseguest at her employer’s home, has been spending time with Phyl and the girls.The governess hasn’t given it much thought due to difference in status.

Mrs. Ponsonby (Katie Firth – always happy to see this excellent actress), however, strongly objects to their “fraternizing.” She plans for Jack to marry her daughter, Mabel. (Livvy Marcus) Mabel has other ideas.

One evening, after the awful girls have been put to bed, Mrs.Ponsonby chances upon her governess smoking with sympathetic Jack. The women have it out. Without a place to land, the heroine quits.

Jack realizes the outcome is at least indirectly his fault. and questions Phyl about her future. She opens up. “One gets tired of making the best of things.” He asks her to describe her idea of happiness (which, curiously for circumstances and era, doesn’t include a man), then offers it to her on a silver platter.The young woman’s reputation would be irrevocably sullied, but she’d have the life about which she’d always dreamed.

Act II finds them on the Rivera living beautifully in “sin.” Phyl is genuinely happy. The couple can’t keep their hands off one another. Jack is warm and attentive.

Into what seems an idyllic situation come three successive influences.First, serendipitously, Mrs. Ponsonby and her daughters find them. Next Cathy arrives on what she feels is an errand of mercy. Then, solicitor, Mr.Westmacott, pays a visit. (Curzon Dobell, so believable it’s as if he walked off the street) The couple’s lives radically change.

That Jack is a confirmed bachelor accustomed to women drawn to his income and Phyl can’t imagine anyone desiring her for herself, creates a communication log jam.

Cicely Hamilton’s characters are whole, her dialogue crackling, understanding of human nature spot on. This is an entertaining play with meat on it and an utterly captivating production.

Lily Ganser’s portrayal of Phyl is delicate, poignant. The actress manifests a full, nuanced arc from desperation to ebullience. When she jumps up and down in childish pleasure, we want to hug her.

As Cathy, Jennifer Blood inhabits a brittle, God-Fearing spinster. She practically quivers with self righteousness and despair over the loss of Phyl’s soul, yet remains sympathetic. Bearing is just right.

Jack is a bon vivant with a heart. Anthony Michael Martinez plays him with subtlety and naturalness. We wonder what the character really feels – which is paramount to the play.

Director Britt Berke, a familiar hand at the Mint, has great skill with stage business that brings everything to life. From Phyl’s embarrassed tears to her stroking a silver dressing set as if it was a favored pet, moments add up to character credibility. Naturalism keeps us unaware of adroit pacing.

Set (Brittany Vasta), especially Act II, is apt and evocative. The latter shows delicious color and an enormous fabric drape outside French windows; gentility and largess. Alicia J. Austin’s Costumes are period perfect, flattering and well tailored. Mrs. Ponsonby’s hat is a thing to behold.

Faint Sounds of the sea, children at play, and beach music are deftly designed by Jane Shaw.

Photos by Todd Cerveris

Phyl by Cicely Hamilton
Directed by Britt Berke
Through November 7th
https://minttheater.org/production/phyl/

Mint Theater Company
Theatre Row 410 West 42nd Street