AMATEUR THEATRE REVIEW: A Funny Thing Happened On The Way To The Forum - Derby Theatre, Derby.

This is a musical comedy which can truly said to have to stood the test of time, having first been performed almost sixty years ago. It is remarkable how the script is still incredibly funny and yet doesn’t seem dated; think how many 1960’s and '70’s TV comedies now have either content warnings or simply don’t get shown at all. It's also notable how the comedy contains constant sexual undertones and yet is family friendly, non-sexist and never seems coarse or cutting.

This is a big show in every way, starting with a cast of 17 and needing a large, two level set. The music is essentially the American Big Band sound and so requires a lot of musicians to be done justice. It is also a show which asks a lot of the actors, requiring the fourth wall to be frequently broken whilst building up to a complete farce with a fast-pace and considerable choreographed movement. In short, ‘A Funny Thing Happened On The Way To The Forum’ is a not a show for the faint-hearted to produce. Present Company met this challenge with distinction.

It was pleasing to see how well cast this production was. David Partridge as main character Pseudolus The Slave, opened the show front of curtain and quickly established a rapport with the audience before the curtain raised to show the full cast with the memorable number ‘Comedy Tonight’. Craig Arme as Hero, and Amanda Bonsall as Philia, were perfect as the innocent, virginal young couple set against a backdrop of debauchery and trickery with Steve Dunning playing a memorable Lycus, trader in courtesans and David Lovell amusing as the put-upon slave Hysterium. Joe Woffingham had the right stature and countenance as the arrogant warrior Miles Gloriosus. Simon Theobald as Senex gave a funny portrait of a middle-aged man trying to have some fun, well complimented by Judith Hanson as Domina, his overpowering wife. Philip de Voil as Erronius, a befuddled neighbour, was something of a show-stealer with regular brief but funny entrances. The main characters were well supported by both the chorus and ‘the Proteans’, an all-purpose trio of bit players.

The sixteen-piece band were excellent, with some musicians playing up three different instruments and changing for example particular types of saxophone in mid-song. This gave full and varied justice to what are for the most part, a memorable collection of songs and even well after the curtain fell, the band continued on with full gusto. With all the cast mic'd-up, there was never any conflict with the singing and the music and the overall effect was a joy to listen to, with the general quality of singing excellent, including the chorus (particularly during the funeral scene).

One area which could have been improved on (and at little cost), was the set. Structurally, it was ideal, based on three houses, each with an upper room with one having a balcony. The problem was that it simply did not look very Roman with one house having a red-brick wall next to a stone wall, both of which looked very English, as did a Georgian-panelled door. A coat of paint could easily have given a white washed effect with the door simply being covered with hardboard. It also seemed a mistake to have a silver glitter curtain over one house but fortunately this was quickly removed. All that said, the set was perfectly functionally, ably meeting all the needs of the plot and the actions.

This was a worthy rendition of a challenging but very enjoyable show and the audience certainly seemed to agree with this sentiment. Well done, Present Company.

Reviewer - John Waterhouse
on - 29.10.21