The Mandrake, a play swarming with sex, potions and clever verse, opened Jan. 19 at Theater Schmeater on Capitol Hill.

Written in 1518 by Macchiavelli, the notorious author of The Prince, this play is surprisingly light and entertaining, although the humor is devoid of intellectual stimulation, relying completely on sexual innuendo and exaggeration.

If you're intimidated by the inevitability of a shadow puppet sex scene, perhaps you should attend a more traditional play and avoid this eclectic, cramped, friendly indie theater. Interrupted by occasional audience interaction, The Mandrake centers on the plight of Callimacho, who has fallen into lust with a chaste married woman. In order to get her to sleep with him, the impatient gentleman elicits the help of clever swindler Ligurio and an array of other personalities that redefine the word 'character' with their colorful, eccentric acting.

Between scenes, the music is supplied by two guitar-playing bards, their lyrics updated to cleverly entreat guests to leave donations, turn off cell phones and invite friends to future performances. The skill and wit of these musicians is perhaps more humorous than the entire bawdy script.

The play maintains an absurd, wacky style, with the players thrown into odd costumes. By the end of this 16th century Florentine play, characters are dressed as pirates, adult babies, modern doctors and Hasidic Jews. Although amusing, many scenes are highly overacted, the characters so emphatic that it is impossible not to cringe. The show is actually stolen by a female actress, Jill Snyder, in the role of trickster Ligurio, her balanced acting mellowing the absurdity.

Playing until Feb. 17, The Mandrake is performed Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights at 8 p.m., and tickets are a less expensive $15 dollars for students. Every Thursday performance is "pay what you can," and guests under 18 are always free. Tickets and information about upcoming productions can be found at schmeater.org.

While you won't fall asleep during this production, be prepared to be shocked, surprised and frequently pushed out of your comfort zone.

— Michelle Hope Anderson

arts@thedaily.washington.edu