octopus

Paul Bradley as Marvin, Nick Hancock as Seymour, Carolyn Backhouse as Gloria . . . and Terry the octopus.

Photo: Robert Day

Octopus Soup!

Malvern Theatres

***

For a brand new British farce, join Nick Hancock on the menu at Malvern this week, as he takes on more than he can handle in Octopus Soup!, as a host at the dinner party from hell.

Directed by Joe Harmston this star cast sees Paul Bradley as bumbling burglar Marvin Haynes (Nigel EastEnders fame), Gillian Bevan as screeching CEO of G.I.T Virginia Whale (head teacher from Teachers), Carolyn Blackhouse as neurotic Gloria Bignall and actress wife to Seymour (Coronation Street), Eric Richard as underworld boss Alan (Sergeant Bob Cryer in The Bill for 17 years) and of course Nick Hancock, insurance consultant, two belts wearer Seymour Norse (They Think It’s all Over).

This witty far-fetched farce written by Jack Milner and Mark Stevenson begins when Seymour attempts to present a Skype presentation to Virginia Whale, boss of G.I T about traffic lights, goats, the Catholic Church and that’s only the tip of the iceberg as he is being burgled at the same time and tied to a chair. Timing is everything.

Seizing an opportunity burglar Marvin leaves his octopus Terry with Seymour and wife Gloria for safe keeping whilst an insurance scam or algorithm for the insurance industry gets underway orchestrated by criminal boss Alan. ‘Do not feed me Seymour!’

In the second half all of the characters end up around the dinner table spitting out ‘squid’ soup full of misunderstandings, gun fire, and a folk dance thrown in. Terry the octopus takes a ride on a human head as cleavers are wielded around and Gloria hides under a table. The plan comes tumbling around their ears but don’t worry no animals were harmed in the making of this play.

They think it’s all over, it is now!

Simon Fielder and Belgrade Theatre Coventry present this world premiere production at Malvern Theatres until Saturday April 20th before swimming over to Swansea Grand Theatre, so make sure you act fast and get your tentacles on some tickets. Call Malvern Theatres Box Office on 01684 892277 for tickets or visit malvern-theatres.co.uk

Emma Trimble

15-04-19 

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