In today’s world, the ability to keep a good work/life balance is difficult. Now that we have cell phones with us, it feels like we are available 24/7 to work. It takes dedicated effort to keep a good balance in one’s life. So it interesting to see that this is the underlying theme of a play that premiered in 1917. Partnership, written by playwright, Elizabeth Baker, takes aim at balancing work/life and love.
Partnership is enjoying its American Premiere presented by the Mint Theater Company. It runs now through November 12th at Theatre Row. This is the third and final offering in Mint’s series “Meet Miss Baker” which began in 2019 with The Price of Thomas Scott which featured a portrayal of a man struggling with issues of Morals and Ethic. Next up was Chains, the story of a few ordinary people yearning for a less ordinary life. Baker herself was a part of the working class and this is reflected in her writing. She worked aa an office typist for many years even as she wrote her plays. Her family worked in the garment trade and several had shops. Therefore, the concept of running a clothing goods store seen in Partnership has a basis in Baker’s background.
Partnership is a charming play to see. The Mint Theater Company pays a great deal of attention to bringing the story to life through superb staging and very fine acting. A big round of applause goes to Jackson Grace Gay for first rate direction of this play.
The Story Told in Partnership
The story focuses on Kate Rolling who owns a small but very smart shop in Brighton and is eager to grow her business. There is a fine sense of devotion to the customers by Kate and the ladies who work in the shop with her.
When the store next to hers goes vacant, Kate is determined to acquire it and enlarge her current shop to include the second one. But how to do it? Fate steps in with an interesting proposal in the form of George Pillatt, owner of the biggest shop in Brighton.
He proposes a merger to Kate of their two businesses. But part of the contract includes the two getting married. Kate sees an irresistible business opportunity. “Oh, don’t worry about me,” Kate assures her colleagues, “I never expected anything great in the way of love.” And George seems to feel the same way about love. So it seems like a most admirable arrangement.
The ladies of the shop are concerned for Kate and ask her to consider that she is ruling out the potential for love. Kate sticks with her ideas until a certain gentleman, Lawrence Fawcett, enters the picture. This is a man who enjoys life and his enthusiasm is infectious.
In a well staged scene making up Act 2, a small group including Kate and Lawrence take off for a day in the country. And that is when we see the first signs of Kate starting to realize how her original plans to merge with George Pillatt might not be what she truly wants.
In the third act, new customers who can bring good business to Kate’s shop appear. So should she marry George and stick with a business devoted life or go with Lawrence who has her heart? No spoiling the ending. You need to see the show for the answer.
The Cast of Partnership
The acting in Partnership is very well done starting with the lead, Sara Haider, who plays Kate Rolling. She gives a fine performance as a determined woman of her time who wants to build her own business and does not want anything to stop her. However, her ability to be open to love when it comes along is impressive. Joshua Echebiri turns in a warm and enduring performance as Lawrence, the man who puts living his life to the fullest ahead of all else. Gene Gillette gives his character, George Pillatt, a stern and very business like persona which fits into the plot perfectly. The women in the shop who work with Kate include Miss Blagg played by Gina Daniels and Madeline Seidman who plays Miss Gladys Tracey. Each show their concern for Kate’s well being but in different ways.
Also in this marvelous cast are Christiane Noll as Lady Smith-Carr-Smith, Tom Patterson as Jack Weber and Elliman, and Olivia Gilliatt as Maise Glow.
The Sets Add to the Enjoyment of this Play
The set designs for Partnership are very well done. When entering the theater, the set is open and it is the dress shop. There are many items on stage which are fascinating to see. In particular, there is a manikin that does look real. In the show, someone expresses that they thought it was a real person. Well so did I!
Act Two includes a beautifully pained backdrop. Credit is given in the program to James Hart Dyke for permission to adapt his painting “Winter Evening Light on Windmill, 2021” for the production. It provides a good sense of the group being in the country.
To Attend Partnership
Tickets for Partnership are available online at Theatre Row Box Office. Purchase is also available by phone at 212/714-2442, ext. 45 (daily from 12Noon to 5PM), or in person at the Theatre Row Box Office (located at 410 West 42nd Street). Service fees will apply for online or phone orders.
Partnership offers playgoers a lovely visit to the theater.
