In the Other Room or The Vibrator Play at Woolly Mammoth Theatre Company

Sarah Ruhl has taken a subject so taboo people don't generally speak about it in mixed company and turned it into a hilarious romp. When electricity was first invented, one of the first appliances to be used in the home was the vibrator. They were mostly sold to physicians who helped cure women of "hysteria," which was a common ailment at the time. It was believed that hysteria was caused by a build-up of fluid in the womb and the paroxysm that the physician provided was supposed to cure them by letting the fluid out. This play centers around a doctor just of this ilk, his wife, his patients and their relationships.

Eric Hissom, in his first appearance at Woolly, plays Dr. Givings, who is dealing with a new baby and a wife (Katie deBuys) who can't produce an adequate amount of milk to feed her daughter. One of his patients, Mrs. Daldry (Kimberly Gilbert), has a servant who recently lost a child, so Elizabeth (Jessica Frances Dukes) becomes employed by the Givings'. While the doctor and Mrs. Daldry spend their time together in the medical room, Mrs. Givings spends her time with Mr. Daldry, and with Leo Irving, a painter who is also one of the doctor's patients. Complex relationships revolve around the tiny device that becomes so helpful in so many lives - even the nurse, Annie (Sarah Marshall) gets involved!

The script is beautifully written, the production masterfully acted and the set is absolutely charming. Though the house is not big, they manage to fit a large number of people by building a gallery with two rows above the stage. I sat both in front of and behind the stage and, while I had some trouble seeing small bits of scenes when I sat in the gallery, I had no trouble following the plot. This is a wonderful piece of theatre that combines a truly fascinating history lesson with a good story and excellent actors. 4 stars.

In the Other Room or The Vibrator Play
by Sarah Ruhl
directed by Aaron Posner
at Woolly Mammoth Theatre Company
641 D Street, NW
Washington, DC
through October 3

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