The name Ray Cooney is synonymous with farce; a style of fast-paced ridiculous comedy that typically gives those who (under normal circumstances) would be perfectly rational and normal human beings, reason to be outrageous and over-the-top, with ludicrous tragi-comedic plot contrivances a-plenty with seemingly no way out, and then, because this is farce, Cooney finds a lovely way to end it all happily. (even if people run around in their underwear or behave inappropriately!)
'Keep It In The Family' is no exception, and this production by Altrincham's Little Theatre understood this, delivering a production that was as close to farce as I have seen in a long time. For some reason, this style of comedy is very popular with amateur companies, and yet, is notoriously difficult to deliver. It requires a certain style of acting, (and commitment to the play), that normal comedies do not, and as such, oftentimes falls a little flat. Not here.
Under Michael Russell's tight direction, we knew we were in farcical territory right from the start. Normally, with farces, much of the opening is exposition with little or nothing to laugh at, as the premise / storyline is set up and we are introduced to the characters. Here however, we were laughing right from the start, and that is always a good sign. The pace wasn't quite there at the beginning of the play, but that was understandable. But by the time the first bombshell hit, it was full speed ahead, and there was only one way to go... forward!
A good set design of the doctors' common room in a London hospital, with doors to slam, windows to open and the all-important window ledge! A slight point might be that perhaps there could be a way to make the windows stay open themselves, rather than having to have cast members be constantly aware that they are sliding down when they shouldn't be. Otherwise, the set was dressed appropriately, and the lighting and sound levels good throughout.
Gary Woodhall played the pivotal role of Doctor Mortimer, around whom all the plot revolves. It requires a certain groundedness to the character, a certain believability, a sea of calm amid all the farcical calamity happening around him - which he has set up and is central to! And we bought in to this completely. Nicely done. Creating, aiding, and abetting all the havoc were a large cast all bringing much to their respective roles and helping the play along. Special mention should be made to Arthur Hulse as Willoughby Drake, who reminded me very much of Sir Percy Shorter in 'Habeas Corpus', and both Chris Burton and Ewan Henderson (Drs Bonney and Connolly) who threw themselves into silly accents, drag, singing, and goodness knows what else in order to save face.
A light-hearted romp of a farce, delivered with an obvious love of the genre, providing the audience with an hilarious and well-crafted evening's entertainment.
Reviewer - Matthew Dougall
on - 21/5/23
on - 21/5/23
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