The Anger in Ernest and Ernestine

Gregory Prest and Raquel Duffy in The Anger in Ernest and Ernestine. Photo by Cylla von Tiedemann.

Anyone who has ever cohabitated with someone they love will immediately recognize the truth in The Anger in Ernest and Ernestine, a 1987 play written by Robert Morgan, Martha Ross and Leah Cherniak, now on stage at the Yonge Centre as part of Soulpepper's studio series.

When newlyweds Ernest (Gregory Prest) and Ernestine (Raquel Duffy) move in together, their wildly different approaches to life in a small basement apartment with a defunt furnace make for hysterical and ugly confrontations. Initially, Ernest finds Ernestine's chaotic morning routine cute, but after a few days of cleaning up spilled Cornflakes, the glue that holds the pair together begins to crack. Ernest is neurotically neat and orderly while Ernestine is a free spirit who feels stiffled by her partner's uptight ways. Over the course of two hours, we see small annoyances heat up as the couple struggles with compromise and acceptance in a most entertaining fashion.

Influenced by a highly physical comic style, Leah Cherniak's production is well choreographed and creatively staged so the characters often speak directly to the audience, bringing us into the fold of their conflict. Duffy and Prest are both exceptionally amusing and committed to their roles. Prest takes nerdy to a hilarious new level as Ernest while Duffy's frantic flightiness is endearing and often laugh-out-loud funny as she embodies the character of Ernestine.

The story ends on a serious note that leaves the audience wondering whether the couple will overcome their dischord. While both Ernest and Ernestine have reasons to be angry, the characters are so relatably human that we can't help but hope they work it out.

Don't miss this intimate and comic take on the trials and triumphs of marriage. The Anger in Ernest and Ernestine runs until February 20, 2016 at the Young Centre for the Performing Arts. Visit soulpepper.ca for more information and to buy tickets.