Theatre and Dance Reviews

People of a certain age will remember the Whitehall farces and Brian Rix. These productions would regularly transfer from the stage to television and largely featured people rushing in and out of doors sans trousers.

This former West End production demonstrates that handled well farce and old fashioned comedy will still enthrall and entertain an audience. A top notch cast romp their way through Frayn's script never forgetting the effect of obvious visual gags as well.

The action centres around a reunion of students at "one of the smaller courts, in one of the lesser colleges at one of the older Universities." It was a mainly male college, although the object of admiration 25 years ago, the myopic but desirable and flirtatious Rosemary Gilbert has married the Master of the college to become Lady Driver (Cue obvious joke). She wishes to meet her real love from 25 years ago. He can't attend the reunion, so his room is given to somebody else at the last minute and so the scene is set for much drunken confusion.

There are strong performances throughout this cast and the stage is well amplified to ensure every word can be heard. Sara Crowe makes a welcome return as Lady Driver. Sara was recently in "Acorn Antiques" and is earning a reputation as one of our finest comedy actresses. There's a nice performance by Ian Lavender as the old retainer Birkett. You realise the years are passing when the oldest character is played by the creator of "stupid boy" Private Pike. I also enjoyed Norman Pace's performances as the hapless Snell who had missed out on college life because of a confusion over his name.

The second act is an absolute riot brilliantly led by Cabinet minister Chris Headingly played by Mark Hadfield. Hungover and suffering from a bad back he spends virtually the whole act with his trousers around his ankles, while Sara Crowe has hiding behind doors, newspapers and curtains down to a tee.

This production is hilarious and the audience most certainly spilled out into the Autumn drizzle with smiles on their faces.

For once the programme was really worth buying for three particular double page spreads. The first shows the cast as alumini. The second features press cuttings from 25 years ago which adds verisimiltude to the characters and their past and finally there's a splendid college noticeboard. If you're seeing this play, buy the programme.

A thoroughly enjoyable romp which has the audience laughing from start to impossible finish.