Mt. Blue Theatre Co. presents Tom Jones Nov. 12-14

By Rosie Cohen
FARMINGTON – The Mt Blue Theatre Company will present Tom Jones, a comedy in three acts on Nov. 12, 13, and 14 at 7 p.m. in the Mt. Blue High School auditorium. Tom Jones is an adaptation of the novel The History of Tom Jones, a Foundling, by Henry Fielding.

Written in 1749, it is one of the earliest English novels. Though its plot follows a traditional soap-opera-style story, because it is so old, it can claim, instead, that the soap operas are following its story. The timeless yet hilarious Tom Jones is appropriate for all ages and a perfect way to spend a weekend evening.

The light-hearted melodrama begins with the well-meaning Partridge (Andreas Wyder), who assures the “gentle people” in the audience that he is “not regularly an actor.” He introduces the reputable Squire Allworthy (Mike Jenks), who returns from London to his estate which he shares with his sister Bridget (Stefani Diaz). Upon retiring to his room, however, he is shocked to find a baby on his pillow. No one knows who its parents are, but the scullery maid Jenny Jones (Alex Lucas) is soon accused.

After admitting it is hers, Squire Allworthy banishes her from the county. He decides to raise the child, whom he names Tom Jones, as if it were his own. Soon after, Bridget meets and marries Captain Blifil (Derek Haley). They have a child together (also named Blifil and also played by Haley), but he dies soon after, leaving the two fatherless boys to be raised by the good Squire.

Blifil and Tom Jones (Matt West), though raised on the same estate, grow up to be very different. Tom, our hero, is as good and fair as Blifil is nasty. The dashing Tom befriends his neighbor Mr. Western (Tim Reid), who loves hunting more than anything in the world. Sophia Western (Amy Wheeler), Mr. Western’s charming daughter, falls head over heels in love with handsome Tom after he saves her life.

However, because he is a foundling and she is a lady, they are not allowed to marry. Instead, the prim Miss Western (Katie Rice), Mr. Western’s sister, attempts to persuade her to marry the odious Blifil. Though Sophia is horrified at the thought, Blifil, Squire Allworthy, and Mr. Western are all thrilled with the prospect of such an alliance.

The play continues with Tom banished from Allworthy’s house after Mr. Western catches him kissing Sophia. He flees to London to live out his days in misery. Sophia runs after him, followed by the Western siblings. Several encounters with an incompetent highwayman (Seth Wegner), many misunderstandings between the young lovers, an epic sword fight on the streets of London with an irate Irishman (Paul Boucher), and a tumultuous trial led by the harried Justice Dowling (Hannah Senecal) carry the last two acts uproariously through to the end.

For those who have read the novel or seen the risque 1963 movie, this play has been scrubbed up considerably and is thoroughly family-friendly, while remaining just as uproariously funny. A tongue-in-cheek tale of love, Tom Jones is a must-see. Tickets at the door are $4.50 for adults and $2.50 for children and seniors.