Energy Keeps ‘Mrs. Markham’ Moving

“Move Over, Mrs. Markham” is, as one of the characters puts it, “nothing serious, just a bit of slap and tickle.” Ray Cooney’s and John Chapman’s delightfully naughty bedroom farce isn’t concerned with sociopolitical commentary or vulgar sexploitation, but rather the comical confusion caused by misunderstood intentions and shifting identities.

Pamela Hall directs with an unerring crispness, and this T.U. Studios productions runs at a breathless pace that suits the clever script.

Joanna Markham (Elizabeth Wells) and her husband Philip (Thomas Hoyt Godfrey), a children’s book publisher, are comfortably happy, or so they think. Philip’s boss Henry (David Bennett Stephens) regularly uses the Markhams’ flat for his adulterous rendezvous. Not knowing this little secret, Joanna agrees to let Henry’s wife Linda (Gillian Doyle) use the flat to begin her first affair on a particular evening. This isn’t simply a double-booking debacle, but an overbooking disaster as the maid (Lynn Anderson), the decorator (Dennis Gersten) and a famous children’s book author (Livia Trevin~o) converge on this handsome flat (set designer Marco DeLeon) and add to the confusion.

After all the deceptions--conducted with the best manners that could be managed under the circumstances--no harm is done. Even the philandering Henry and his wife Linda end up on a cheery note.

The ensemble fully exploits Cooney and Chapman’s comic intent with great energy and style.

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BE THERE

Move Over, Mrs. Markham, T.U. Studios, 10943 Camarillo St., North Hollywood. Thursdays-Saturdays, 8 p.m.; Sundays, 2 p.m. Ends Aug. 24. $15. (818) 788-9038. Running time: 2 hours, 5 minutes.