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Stars explained: * A production of no real merit
with failings in all areas. ** A production showing evidence of not
enough time or effort, or even talent, and which never breathes any real
life into the piece – or a show lumbered with a terrible script. *** A
good enjoyable show which might have some small flaws but has largely
achieved what it set out to do.**** An excellent show which shows a
great deal of work and stage craft with no noticeable or major
flaws.***** A four star show which has found that extra bit of magic
which lifts theatre to another plane. |
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It's romp time at The Rose -
but whether Alex Forty is having quite as much fun as Natalie Minaker
and Charlotte Moseley is uncertain.
The Nonentities The Rose Theatre, Kidderminster **** MARC CAMOLETTI has written a glorious
romp – and here it has a company whose talent shines forth in delivering
it. I fear I did not work out why it had to be placed in Normandy, but we are reminded that there is a bit of patois involved because one of the characters proffers her lines in splendidly forthright tones of purest Brummie. And in any case, the French barn conversion that
is its ambience is represented by a set of unimpeachable quality,
so one merely gives thanks for the kind of talent involved in designing
it It's a joy. Mistaken identities, deliberate
dissembling, one man in trouble and his best man and friend of 15 years
unfailingly becoming his fall guy – it's all here, all the requisite
ingredients producing laughter without the option. Director Shirley Gaston has assembled a
six-strong cast without a weak link, delivering dialogue that emerges
clear, uncluttered and quick-fire. Here is a company that knows
precisely what is expected of it – and which handles its
responsibilities without a tremor. The complications are down to Bernard (Richard
Taylor), who has an eye for the ladies and who plans to – er, make lay
while his wife's away. He is launched on the slippery road to total
disaster when his wife doesn't actually go away, which means that his
mistress (Charlotte Young) finds herself cast as the cook when she turns
up. Mr Taylor comes confidently to his duties. He
supports his lines with decisive gestures in a role that requires him to
change his shirt several times after repeated soakings. He also receives
a succession of face-slaps. This is by no means the kind of action that
Action Man had in mind but he comes through it with aplomb. Louise Fulwell is his wife, Jacqueline – elegant,
shapely, unruffled, a cut-glass conversationalist and generally a joy of
calm in a turbulent sea. Stefan Austin is Robert – he who suffers much for
his panicking friend but retains sufficient equanimity to be able to
give us an efficient run-down of the plot half way through the action,
as well as providing intermittent cover for his friend. Charlotte Young and Natalie Minaker are
splendidly on hand as Suzanne and Suzette, both of them known as Suzy
and both facing responsibilities in the kitchen as the needs of
Bernard's deception grow ever more demanding – with Ms Minaker also
required to share a surprising tango with Stefan Austin half way through
the proceedings as well as acclimatising to finding herself unexpectedly
cast as Robert's niece. Alex Forty turns up late-on to amusing effect as
big Brummie chef George. This is a splendid farce, deftly done – and one
that I have seen only once before, in 28 years of chasing amateurs
across their boards. It really ought to find its way more frequently
into seasons' programmes. To 21-04-12. John Slim |
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