"All in the Timing," a series of seven one-act comedies, hits the stage this weekend.
Topics covered in the play range from the demise of Leon Trotsky, a Russian revolutionary, in "Variations on the Death of Trotsky," to an English murder mystery in "The Mystery at Twicknam Vicarage."
In between are the comedies: "Singular Kinda Guy," "A Sure Thing," "Mere Mortals," "Time Flies" and "The Philadelphia," all written by David Ives.
"This is smart comedy," said director Addiann Hinds. "It is not fall-down comedy, but a comedy that requires timing and intelligent actors."
Actor Bill Cecil, who appears in four of the comedies, including "Time Flies," said the style of the performances varies from farce to slapstick.
"All in the Timing" is a comedy style that many college-age people appreciate, Cecil said. It is similar in format and content to the popular show "Saturday Night Live," he said.
An ensemble of five actors from Riverwalk Theatre takes on the challenges of multiple roles and performing in the small and intimate space provided by Creole Gallery, 1218 Turner St. in Lansing.
Putting on a play in a smaller space minimizes the set requirements, but demands much talent on behalf of the actors, Hinds said.
Actor Gini Larson, who also appears in the show "Time Flies" and has acted at Creole Gallery before, said the experience of theater in such a small space is different - both for the actors and the audience.
From an actor's perspective, Larson said it can be difficult to feel separate from the audience members, although that has never prevented her from getting into character.
"It's very intimate - the people are right there so you feel like you're in the audience," she said.
This can create problems, especially when a show requires actors to switch personas quickly, as is needed in "All in the Timing."
But Cecil said changing characters is simply a question of mental capabilities, and by visualizing a persona, the quick switch can be easy.
"You have to change characters like you would change a shirt," he said. "I transform with a costume change."
As hinted by the title, saying lines at the correct moment and staying on top of cues is key to performing the comedies in "All in the Timing," Hinds said.
A director can help whip actors into shape for a show that relies on timing, she said, but essentially the success of a show is up to the performers.
"These actors are doing all the work," she said.
