acles and bowler fly off. When the dim-witted Valentine finally realizes what Speed is talking about, he spins and faces the audience, thunder-struck, a huge and oafish grin upon his face. Once understood, Speed exits on his bicycle, horn again honking, down the ramp at stage left and back through the audience. Robert Kropf portrays the buffoonish Launce attired as a baseball player with black stirrups, a green pin-striped dress shirt beneath a vest, and a too-low baseball cap with the brim flipped up. Kropf's facial expressions are marvelous--confused chagrin, vacant stare, earnest fervor--his black-circled eyes and jutting jaw making him seem bemused and oblivious. He constantly wields a baseball bat, using it as a support and a walking stick, even as a mock-rifle when he joins the outlaws. His companion, Crab the dog, is almost as amusing to behold as Launce himself: a drooling, wrinkled, black-and-brown bloodhound with drooping ears and melancholy eyes. The comedic chemistry between Speed and Launce is the highlight of the production, especially their interaction during the 3.1 "item" scene. The sequence begins with sophisticated decorum at a formal ball held by the Duke. The gentlemen are attired in tuxedoes and two-toned wing-tips, and they slowIy dance with ladies in splendid black evening gowns. Speed and Launce are white-gloved butlers with serving trays, but they embrace and dance a quick tango before assuming their duties. Launce in formal wear but still sporting his baseball cap, flips the brim up cockily as Speed takes an opportunity to pound out a jarring tune on the grand piano. His playing halts the formal dancing, and when the Duke appears behind him, he jolts with astonishment from the bench and crashes to the floor. Once alone onstage, the two clowns sit, stand, and sprawl upon the piano, discussing Launce's love interest in a superbly timed, rapid-fire dialogue. Philip Thompson portrays Thurio with abundant visual hu...
