By Katrina Margolis
Hometown Weekly Reporter
Sometimes the best escape is not only escaping from the duties of day-to-day life, but also an escape from the very time that you live in. The Medfield Library offered a chance to do just that last Sunday when they hosted an Edwardian Tea. Set in 1908, Rita Parisi of Waterfall Productions played Mrs. Gordon, the hostess of a turn-of-the-century afternoon tea. Serving tea in apropos and beautiful china, as well as light snacks, attendees were able to escape for a time far before their own and hear from Mrs. Gordon about her life, including a trip around Boston.
Waterfall Productions is the brainchild of Parisi, who founded the company in 2002. Her performances include Mrs. Gordon, 20th century Gothic tales, and one-woman plays about Zelda Fitzgerald. In this particular performance, Parisi encapsulates the spirit of the early 20th century woman. Mrs. Gordon is middle-class, and tells her audience about a trip into Boston she had, including wandering into a picture show and shopping at Jordan Marsh. “I paid my 25 cents, which by the way, is very expensive, and I received a ticket and made my way into the lobby,” she said regarding her impromptu decision to see a couple of “actualities.”
“Up on the screen in white lettering, it said: ‘Moscow Clad in Snow,’ and this particular actuality was really a series of scenes of Moscow during the winter months.” Mrs. Gordon was so polite as to ask the audience if they had any questions, answering in character without any breaks.
Her story continued to her shopping trip to Jordan Marsh, where she detailed the different types of corsets which were in fashion, and answered questions regarding the very concept of corsets.
“How many corsets would one woman own?” asked one attendee.
“I own three,” Gordon replied. “One is my finest for entertaining, one is a middle one for outings, and my third is the least nice which is for doing housework and errands.”
“How often do you wash a corset?” another inquired.
“The corset doesn’t actually touch the skin, but when you notice it is getting soiled, you would wash it.”
“If you’re pregnant, how long do you wear a corset?” questioned yet another curious attendee.
“There are specialty corsets for those who are with child,” she answered.
The tea, as a whole, was jovial, filled with laughter and subtle, underhand jokes at today’s world, while maintaining character the entire time. Parisi’s performance was wonderful, entertaining, and enriching.
