Although writer Elizabeth von Amin was described as one of the three finest wits of her day and admired as a literary figure in Europe, her works are not well known in contemporary circles. Her best-selling 1922 novel, “The Enchanted April”, however, has been given new life through its transformation on screen and in the theater. St. Paul’s Park Square Theatre opens its season with Matthew Barber’s Tony-nominated adaptation of Amin’s romantic comedy.

“Enchanted April” focuses on four women who break free from their dreary London lives and escape to a sun-soaked Italian holiday. Lotty Wilton (Andrea Wollenberg) is an eccentric wife who is bored with her portentous husband and the expectations of her married life. She meets Rose Arnott (Colleen Hennen) at a Lady’s Club meeting on another one of London’s dreary, rainy days. Reading the London Times, Lotty comes across an advertisement for a castle rental in Italy during the month of April. Disheartened and depressed with her life in London, Lotty convinces Rose that they are both in need of an escape from their husbands and their married lives.

During the first act, Rose and Lotty discreetly plan their escape from their unhappy situations. Unable to cover the full cost of the castle rental, they advertise for two additional women to join in their April vacation. They receive two replies from two very different individuals:Lady Caroline Bramble (Jaimi Paige), a young, wealthy, attractive, and “liberated” female of the times, and Mrs. Graves, a stubborn and harsh widow.

The first act is somewhat slow, but the second act—which takes place in Italy—really makes the play. If the first act had the audience chuckling, everyone was falling out of their seats by the second act.

Lotty, Rose, Lady Caroline Bramble and Mrs. Graves come together at San Salvatore castle in Mezzago, where their personalities and true life stories begin to unfold. Clashes between the different personalities abound, but they all come together in friendship and sisterhood in the end. The women rediscover themselves and feel liberated. Lotty and Rose are able to revive their love for their husbands, and mend their failing marriages.

Although the play is absolutely hilarious at many points, it does explore very serious and important issues. The difficulties of life in post-World War I London society are plainly evident. The country deals with the many casualties it suffered, and war widows find their lives especially difficult after the loss of their loved ones.

Even for those who did not lose their husbands during the war, the changing times and the dreariness of the era introduced many problems into women’s lives. Lotty can no longer deal with the monotony of her married life and the expectations that society (and her husband) have devised as the definition of a good wife. Rose has her own issues with her husband. Although they feel as though they have done everything that was expected of them, without any reward or satisfaction, Lotty and Rose are left depressed.

Mrs. Graves is hopelessly lost in her past and the remembrance of her deceased husband. Lady Caroline Bramble is tired, lonely and depressed even as she leads a fake, but highly active, social life. Everything changes, however, when they escape to their rented castle and rediscover their happiness and reconnect with life in this “enchanted” environment.

“Enchanted April” provides a charming and light-hearted escape for an evening—especially if you enjoy the irony that so often characterizes British humor.