Floundering ‘Fables of Fish and Foul Play’

There was an old woman who lived in a shoe ; She had so many children she didn’t know what to do . . . .

So she went into show business.

Thus goes the opening joke at the Group Repertory Theatre, where the Old Woman in the Shoe (Gert Eisler) narrates “Fables of Fish and Foul Play” and her “children,” the Shoestring Players, perform.

Supposedly taking place in the Old Woman’s backyard, the show consists of adaptations of two classic tales, “The Fisherman’s Wife” and “The Fisherman’s Son,” and “Peter, the Poet Prince,” a short piece written by Jerry Brinkman.

Meant to be whimsical, most of the production is merely makeshift. The Flounder/Enchanted Princess (Michele Bernath) wears a leotard, shower cap, rubber gloves and glasses, courtesy of costume designer Jennifer Michaud. A stool on wheels is a rowboat, a well serves as the sea, an actor smoking a cigarette is a chimney and a flashlight is the sun.

The fun is forced. Too many jokes are groaners: When the Flounder tells the Fisherman (C. Jay Cox) that one of his lines is “catchy,” he replies, “Well I am a Fisherman.”

Aimed at adults and children, the show lacks enough color and dash for either--except for a brief segment of swordplay.

During the second half of the show, director/adaptor William McCoy allows the pace to become frenetic. Lines are delivered too loud and too fast--most of the cast is guilty here.

An exception is appealing Debora K. Kessler, humorous as feisty Princess Daisy Mabel, with a fetching drawl and Doris Day spunk.

Gusty winds caused brief blackouts during a recent performance of the show; backstage efforts quickly brought illumination. More than light is needed, however, to brighten up this wan evening of make-believe.

Performances continue at 10900 Burbank Blvd. in North Hollywood on Friday at 8 p.m.; Saturday and Dec. 26 at 2 and 8 p.m.; Sunday and Dec. 27 at 2 p.m. , and Dec. 29-Jan. 2 at 8 p.m. Tickets are $8-$10. (818) 769-PLAY.