4/5 stars

“Why do I have the sense of impending disaster?” asked linguistically challenged Herr Zangler halfway through the first act of On the Razzle, by Tom Stoppard.

The play debuted in 1981 at the National Theatre in London and has made its arrival at the UW, where producers hope it will dazzle audiences. During an evening filled with nutty language and quick wit, the audience will laugh nonstop from the moment the frazzled Zangler, played by junior Bert Anderson, struggles to pull his excessively tight trousers over his baggy undergarments in the very first scene.

Throughout the play, Zangler’s attempts to prevent a penniless courtier from pursuing his niece are consistently, although unintentionally, thwarted by Weinberl, the chief sales assistant of Zangler’s grocery store, and his apprentice, Christopher. The vivacity of these characters, played by sophomore Sean Mack and senior Shannon Erickson respectively, contributes to the energy of the play.

When Weinberl and Christopher receive promotions because of Zangler’s recent betrothal, they decide to go out for a night “on the razzle” in Vienna. They set off disguised as mannequins, entering into fake marriage and taking on different identities — all to prevent Zangler from recognizing them — in a series of unforgettable encounters.

Meanwhile, Zangler and his newly acquired assistant hope to force his niece away from her pursuer by sending her to Zangler’s sister-in-law in Vienna.

Undoubtedly, the backbone of the play resides in the actors’ successful integration of clever wordplay: “niece” becomes “knees” and Zangler goes from the “Sheik of Kuwait” to “the cock of the walk” all in a few short lines of script. The creative banter keeps the momentum going while maintaining a sense of understanding for the audience.

Directed by Kelsey Hampton, a board member of the Undergraduate Theater Society, On the Razzle boasts a cast of uniquely talented actors whose abilities are showcased through the ridiculous misadventures of the evening. The actors’ portrayals of thier characters also show their attention to detail through careful pronunciation and unique character gaits.

In addition to perfecting blocking (accurate on-stage positioning), actors helped construct the set, which is integrated nicely into the cozy Cabaret Theater in Hutchinson Hall.

Carefully chosen costume pieces also contribute to the success of the production. Fancy dresses, jewelry and headpieces adorned the exquisite ladies of 20th-century Vienna. Costume designer Lauren Bond said she borrowed most of the period costume pieces from previous drama programs and made some of the simpler pieces herself.

Remarkably, all aspects of this fanciful play were finalized within the six weeks from the first rehearsal to opening night. Despite the quick turnaround, On the Razzle is sure to delight and promises to be full of laughter.

Reach contributing writer Heather Milligan at arts@dailyuw.com.