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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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Quick steps for laughs on the run
Hello, hello, Hello, what's goin' on 'ere then?: Richard Hannay (Dexter Whitehead) is confronted by Pamela (Zoë Male) and the long arm of the law, for a few seconds at least, in the ever changing shape of Mark Nattrass and Allan Lane The 39 Steps Sutton Arts
Theatre **** PATRICK
Barlow's frantic and funny adaptation of John Buchan's The 39 Steps
continues the Sutton Arts Theatre's season at a fast and furious
pace under the imaginative direction of Patrick Richmond-Ward. The
story is set in Britain between the First and Second World Wars. Richard
Hannay (Dexter Whitehead) has returned to England after jolly exciting
times abroad. His friends are dispersed around the world, he's
tired of the politics and rumours of the time - and he's bored. A trip to the Palladium to see
the amazing Mr Memory is sure to help relieve the tedium of his life.
However, he gets a little more excitement that he bargains for as his
path crosses with femme fatale Annabella Schmidt (Zoë Male) and he is
implicated in her murder, a crime which
uncovers a web of spies, secrets and lies as
Hannay is pursued by the police to Scotland and back to London
and the eventful final performance of Mr Memory. Dexter Whitehead engages
immediately with the audience capturing the very essence of the dashing
Hannay. - 6' 1” with piercing blue eyes and a rather attractive
pencil moustache - a posturing charmer with the most splendid of
pipes.
Zoë Male plays Annabella
Schmidt secretly and seductively. And she plays the wife of
a Bible-punching farmer, the excitement-seeking Margaret,
with enthusiasm, an unusual gait and great wellies. She also plays
the simpering but lovely Pamela very . . . simperingly. Mark Nattrass and Allan Lane have
mastered many comical characters and comedy moments and cause much
hilarity with their dozens of characterizations. They are wizards
of quick change, juggling characters and accents as easily as they
juggle their hats and wigs. When they do go wrong no
one notices or even cares so fast is the action; it just adds to the
fun. The set is a minimal,
fits-all, empty room with a projector screen, a window and a door.
The transition between scenes is somewhat hectic at times but does add
to the humour of the show. Some very accomplished comedy moments are
produced through innovative and complex use of props; in particular the
transition from Sherriff's office to the hustings and to the journey in
a splendid 4-seater motor car. The clever use of film helps to set
the scenes. Overall there was much
chuckling which fell just short of belly laughs and there was the odd
hiccup while Barbara Christopher did yet another great job as prompt,
but rarely were her services needed Comments overheard on leaving
the theatre included; “Brilliant” and “Weren't the accents good”?
And I agree. A spiffing evening's entertainment. The show runs
until 29-10-11 Lynda Ford |
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