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Professor Cope (Brian Mackey), herpetologist, \u201cwears\u201d an unusual neckpiece:\u00a0 Rosie, one of a newly discovered (and deadly) species of cobra, \u201cnamed for my mother.\u201d<\/p>\n
Professor Walling, zoologist (Omri Schein), carries his favorite subject, Jane the guinea pig, around in her cage. He has taught Jane to open the latch on her cage to get the food outside.<\/p>\n
And let\u2019s not forget Paul Eggington\u2019s Professor Sloane, an \u201carcheo-theologist,\u201d who clings to archeo notions like \u201cWomen are weak with sin and led astray with divers lusts.\u201d His latest discovery: that the Lost Tribes of Israel settled in (wait for it) Ireland.<\/p>\n
Cope and Walling are busy congratulating themselves about appointments they have with Queen Victoria in the morning when the acting president of the club, nervous Nelly Lucius Fretway (Fran Gercke), starts to tell them all about the new member he\u2019s proposing.<\/p>\n Just then she arrives: anthropologist Phyllida Spotte-Hume (Jessica John), who has discovered the Lost City of Pahatlabong, thought until now to be mythical. As proof, she has brought Luigi (John Rosen), a member of the NaKong tribe with long, stringy blond hair and ugly, short brown plaid pants. His upper torso and legs (at least) are painted blue, and he causes not a little surprise with the traditional NaKong response to a proffered handshake.<\/p>\n Of course, it\u2019s not Luigi\u2019s appearance or behavior that causes the uproar. It\u2019s the notion of adding a woman to this all-boys\u2019 club. Taken as they all are by Phyllida\u2019s loveliness and obvious credentials, Sloane can\u2019t help muttering about the \u201cevil nature of women,\u201d and she still must win the vote. But since Phyllida also is to meet the Queen, Cope offers her a ride and the club agrees to consider her for membership.<\/p>\n Suddenly, the president of the group arrives, dripping in fur and snow. This is Harry Percy (a hilarious Ross Hellwig), who just returned from an expedition to the East Pole. Harry seems ready to give Phyllida his vote because \u201cI do like thin women.\u201d<\/p>\n Yes, it\u2019s silly.<\/p>\n Playwright Benjamin (Tony-nominated for \u201cLegally Blonde\u201d) wrings all the laughs she can out of Britain\u2019s imperialist, sexist past and all you need to do is sit back, forget about serious issues for a while and giggle.<\/p>\n Big points to Marty Burnett for a spectacular club set, which includes rugs (seven), a stuffed black bear, huge \u201civory\u201d tusks flanking the well-stocked bar, and\u00a0two statues on either side. (Credit is given to the San Diego Natural History Museum, presumably for some of these items.) Jeanne Reith\u2019s costumes are perfect as well.<\/p>\n This is a spot-on cast. John\u2019s Phyllida is delightful, spunky and not a little annoyed that the guys shoo her out when it\u2019s time for brandy and cigars.<\/p>\n \u201cThe Explorers Club\u201d was extended before it opened. You now have until Sept. 24 to see what goes on in this goofy British men\u2019s club.<\/p>\n![\"A](\"https:\/\/sandiegodowntownnews.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/08\/web-19b.jpeg\")
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Charles Evans, Jr. has a good time with two other characters, one of whom is an explorer turned murderous monk. And Brian Salmon is suitably sniffy as the Queen\u2019s private secretary.<\/p>\n