2 Ratings / 10 Comments
In our increasingly food-centric culture where The Food Network and cable cooking competitions like “Top Chef” and “Hell’s Kitchen” are ratings powerhouses, mounting a play dedicated to the culinary arts like Caroline Smith’s “The Kitchen Witches” seems like a no-brainer. Artistic Direct Rachael Lindley took time out from a busy rehearsal schedule to discuss the upcoming production at Richardson Theatre Centre.
Q. “The Kitchen Witches” isn’t a particularly well-known play. How did you happen to choose it?
A. I looked online at a bunch of play titles, and the premise of “The Kitchen Witches” just jumped out at me. I read the script and loved it. I love all of the food network shows so it grabbed onto me and would not let go.
Q. What’s the show about?A. Dolly Biddle and Isobel Lomax are local cable TV cooking chefs and arch rivals — a past indiscretion with someone’s husband resulted in their decades-long feud. Both ladies are currently down on their luck jobwise, so someone gets the brilliant idea of teaming them up as co-hosts of a new cooking show, “The Kitchen Witches.” It isn’t long before tensions boil over and old family secrets spill out on live TV.Q. How would you describe the play? Farce, situation comedy; a dramedy perhaps?
A. “Kitchen Witches” is good old-fashioned slapstick comedy all the way, with a dash of farce and just a hint of drama thrown in for good measure. It’s sort of a “show within a show,” too. I’m not directing this show I play Dolly Biddle it is good to get back onstage after at least 2 years off. Lise Alexander is portraying Isobel Lomax and when Lise and I hit the stage it is flat out fun. In real life we have been friends for over 10 years so we both identify with these characters quirky relationship in life.Ian Loomer portrays the director of the cable cooking show ( Ian is a tv producer in real life). Local stand up comediane Fred Thompson portrays the station’s cameraman and “go-to” guy, and the theater audience “plays” the cooking program’s live studio audience. That way they can see firsthand how differently the lady chefs behave towards each other on and off camera.
Q. Because the play is about a local cable cooking show, have you incorporated any Richardson, Plano references into the production?
A. “Kitchen Witches” is actually a Canadian play, but script notes urge directors to localize the setting and include home-town references. Chris Taylor our extremely talented director added some references to local area businesses and towns. Most of the play remains untouched.
Q. What type of special challenges does a piece like “Kitchen Witches” present to you as an actress
A. The lead actresses must prepare food onstage — and before the audience — in a two- minute, “Iron Chef”-style challenge. At present, Lise and I are trying to master this concept (laughs). We have only made it look like the food was being prepared while keeping the real dishes tucked away behind the counter. But we all agreed it would be a lot more exciting to watch the ladies frantically attempt the challenge without a safety net. So if ingredients splatter or cooking utensils hit the floor, all the better. It’ll be fun to watch the chefs try and recover to win.Rachael and Lise ask:Will you as an audience member be a judge who tastes our food? If so bring you and the family to “Kitchen Witches” by Caroline Smith.
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Call Richardson Theatre Centre at 2701 N Custer Parkway suite 718 Richardson Tx 75080 972 699 1130 THUR-SUN $20-$40Thursday dinner and a show $30-$40 dinner 5pm-7:15pm show 7:30pm
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