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Boulevards of romance April in Paris
Malvern Theatres
**** Actress Shobna Gulati's characters in
Coronation Street and Dinnerladies have always been fairly insipid. As both Sunita in Corrie or Anita in the Victoria
Wood comedy, she was meek and downtrodden to the point of despair. This latest role, however, in the bittersweet
comedy April in Paris is a two-hander opposite Joe McGann that offers a
surprisingly more adventurous and funny side to Gulati. It's a charming play about a warring couple who
win a trip to Paris and find that the break reignites some passion in
their dwindling relationship. It was written by John Godber, who writes
realistic everyday life dramas and whose previous work includes
Bouncers, and another two hander about a couple on holiday, September in
the Rain. And like September in the rain in Blackpool,
April in Paris is a gentle but watchable affair that needs two big
personalities to carry it off. Both Gulati and McGann fit the bill and give
strong performances - and they need to as they are the only actors on
stage during the 2 hours and a bit show. Well, the only ones if you
discount the quirky pair of Parisien-style mime artists that
occasionally appear to oversee a humorous change of set. The story starts off in a gloomy fashion with the
fractious couple making witty but constant snipes at each other at
home. Al is an out of work small-minded builder with no
desire to go abroad while his wife of 27 years is more optimistic,
entering competitions to see the world between shifts at a shoe shop. The fun begins when she finally hits the jackpot,
winning a trip by ferry to the French capital. Opening their minds to new places and food, the
pair get into plenty of scrapes that will hit a familiar note with most
couples. Gulati is refreshingly silly and animated while
McGann is a reassuring romantic lead, who opens himself up to new ideas
and cultures. There's still a touch of the charming Charlie from The
Upper Hand about him - a role that made his a household name. Don't expect flowers and hearts as this isn't a
sweep you off your feet romance. It's a slow burning observational
comedy with heart. Continues until Saturday 16-08-14 Alison Brinkworth
12-08-14
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