This zany
spoof of Gothic melodramas, recently revived Off- Broadway to raves, is a
quick change marathon for two male actors portraying a Lord, a Lady, a
Vampire, a Swineherd with a wolfish secret, a Sinister Servant, a Mummy
brought back from the dead, and an Egyptian tomb guide with an agenda. But
who is really Irma Vep?? A satire of several films, including Alfred
Hitchcock's Rebecca, this
is side-splitting hilarity of the ranks of the old Carol Burnett comedy
skits.
The plot centers around Mandacrest Estate, the home of Lord Edgar and Lady
Enid. Lady Enid is Lord Edgar's second wife, though he has yet to recover
entirely from the passing of his first wife, Irma. The house staff, a maid
named Jane Twisden and a swineherd named Nicodemus Underwood; have their own
opinions of Lady Enid. The play includes references to (and appearances by)
Vampires, Ghosts, Mummies and Werewolves. It contains the occasional jibe of
an adult nature, but is largely acceptable for audiences of all ages.