Black Comedy

ImagineNation Theatre brings Black Comedy to MATCH in Midtown from October 16 to 18. It's a one-act farce by the British playwright Peter Shaffer, first performed in 1965, and it's built around a single, clever theatrical trick: the characters believe they're in total darkness because the electricity has gone out, while the audience sees the stage brightly lit. When the lights finally come back on for the characters at the end, the stage goes dark for the audience, so you get to share in their confusion.

The story takes place in the London flat of Brindsley Miller, a young sculptor who's borrowed expensive furniture without permission to impress an art collector and the girl's father. A power cut turns that setup into a cascade of misunderstandings and comic situations. Shaffer uses the darkness as his main source of comedy, creating dramatic irony because you see everything the characters can't. Underneath the gags, the play touches on deception, appearances, social status, and relationships.

It runs an hour and 15 minutes with no intermission, and there's no late seating, so you'll want to be in your seat before it starts. It's not recommended for children under 10. General admission is $15.

There are eight performances over three days: Friday, Oct. 16 at 3 PM, 6 PM, and 9 PM; Saturday, Oct. 17 at 2 PM, 5 PM, and 8 PM; and Sunday, Oct. 18 at 2 PM and 5 PM. You can find tickets at matchouston.org.